34 HISTORY OF BRITISH CRUSTACEA. 



This is an extensive family, though there are but few 



species found in this country. One of these however is 



called the Crab par excellence, and is highly esteemed as 



food. The crust of most of these Cancericlce is verv strong 



and hard. 



Gen. 8. XANTHO, Leach. 



Carapace wide, back somewhat flattened, the hind legs 

 more or less compressed. Latero-anterior margins of cara- 

 pace about the same length as the posterior part, with three 

 or four strong teeth ; abdomen with seven joints in the fe- 

 male, and only five in the male. Movable stem of outer 

 antennae springing from the inner angle of orbit, inner an- 

 tennee transversely folded. 



Xantho Florida, Mont. sp. Montagu's Crab. (Plate 

 II. fig. 8.) — Fingers black, rounded, and without the slightest 

 trace of grooves. Fore legs swollen and large, the following 

 short, furnished with hairs on the upper margin of the third 

 joint. Carapace reddish-brown, the claws black. 



Found abundantly on the coasts of Cornwall, and less 

 frequently on those of Devonshire and Dorsetshire; and 

 also on several parts of the Irish coast. Mr. Gosse finds 

 that with its flat back, when kept in an Aquarium, it causes 

 great disorder, by turning over the stones, even when of con- 

 siderable size. 



