A. E. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 707 
No mention is made of its being used as food, except in one instance, 
by Capt. Smith (see under Whelk). This may, however, have been 
common in times of scarcity, for the land crabs are much eaten in” 
the West Indies, by the natives. 
This smaller land crab is still common enough in certain barren 
and sandy localities, as at Tucker’s Town, and especially on the 
smaller uninhabited islands, wherever there is sandy soil,’ but it is 
evidently far less abundant than formerly. Probably the introduc- 
tion of poultry was an important cause of this decrease, for turkeys, 
chickens, and other species will greedily devour the young crabs. 
The adult crabs often make a burrow three or four feet deep and six 
to seven feet long. These are often situated among the matted 
roots of cedars, or between and under large rocks, so that they are 
very secure. The living specimens are reddish brown or chocolate- 
brown above. 
The great Land Crab (Cardisoma Guanhumi Lat.) is compara- 
tively rare. It is often 16 to 18 inches across its outstretched legs, 
with the carapax three to four inches across. It makes very large 
and deep holes. We saw a number of these holes at Hungry Bay, 
among the roots of cedars, where they could not be dug out without 
ereat labor. It also occurs on Cooper’s Island, whence I have a 
specimen sent by J. M. Jones, many years ago. Mr. Moseley ob- 
tained specimens by using torches at night, which we did not have 
an opportunity to try. This species was probably much more abun- 
dant formerly than at present. 
e.—The Devil Fish; Octopus ; “ Scuttle.” (Octopus rugosus Bosc). 
Pirate XCIV ; FIGURE 2. 
This large octopus is by no means uncommon, but the fishermen 
claim that it was formerly more abundant. The decrease in the 
large Rockfishes and Groupers that feed on the Octopus would seem 
to have favored its increase, but on the other hand, it is taken by 
the fishermen in considerable numbers for bait, by the use of grains. 
It is sometimes eaten by the natives, but probably to no great extent, 
owing to the abundance of excellent fishes. I am not aware that it 
is ever brought to the market, as it is in many other countries. The 
largest are said to have weighed 40 to 50 pounds, with arms 7 or 8 
feet long. The largest that we caught by hand were only about five 
feet across the outstretched arms.* 
- * We captured about a dozen by hand, in shallow water, suddenly grabbing 
them around the neck and holding them firmly till their violent struggles were 
subdued. They make a lively fight for a short time. 
