140 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



May and June, but farther sontli, as iu Chesapeake Bay, the spaw niiig 

 season is somewhat earlier. This species attains a lenjith of over two 

 inches, excUisive of the feelers, but generally occurs much smaller than 

 this. So far as we are aware, it is not captured for food south of iSTew 

 York, althou^ih it has been found in extreme abundance and of good 

 size in Chesaj)eake Bay and elsewhere south, by the U. S. Fish Com- 

 mission. In its favorite haunts it frequently occurs in vast numbers, 

 and may be readily cai)tured in marketable quantities. 



On the California coast, according to Mr. W. N. Lockingtou, Crangon 

 vulgaria occurs, associated with another species of the same genus 

 {Granfion franciscornni), which excels it in size and generally in abun 

 dance. The average length of specimens there is said to be about 2^ 

 inches: a length of over 3 inches is sometimes attained. It is distiu- 

 guished from Crangon franciscorum in having a darker-colored tail and 

 a larger jn^oportion of black markings upon the body, as well as by the 

 different iorm of the hand or larger claw. From its black coloring it 

 has received Timong fishermen the name of black-tailed crab. 



The California Shrimp. Crangon franciscorum^ Stimpson. 



This species, according to Mr. Lockington, is the shrimp par excellence 

 of the San Francisco markets, where it is sold during nearly every mouth 

 of the year. It averages in length from 3 to 3A inches. The characters 

 by which it is distinguished from Crangon vulgaris have already been 

 enumerated. Its range, so far as determined, is very limited, being from 

 Puget Sound to Point Concei)tion. In San Francisco and Tomales Bays 

 it is very abundant, frequenting especially the sandy coves along the 

 shores. It is fished for mainly by the Chinese, both for consumption in 

 California and for shii)ment to China. 



A third si»ecies of shrimp, Hippolyte hrevirosfris, of a uniform light 

 crimson or scarlet color, occurtj in small quantities in San Francisco 

 Bay, and is frequently captured along with the two species of Crangon 

 and sold with them. 



The Southern Shrimps and Prawns. Penmis setiferus, M. — Ed- 

 wards ; Penmiis brasiliensis, Latr. 



These two closely related species comi)ose the bulk of the large sup- 

 plies of shrimp or prawns consumed in iXew York and the southern 

 coast cities. They frequently* occur associated together in the same 

 localities, and, being so nearly alike in appearance, are not distinguished 

 apart by the fishermen and dealers. Penccus setifcrws is supposed to 

 be the more abundant species; it attains a length of 6 or more inches, 

 exclusive of the feelers, and may measure more than three fourths of an 

 inch in dej^tli and breadth, in the front or body part. Strangely enough 

 these useful crustaceans are known both as shrimps and prawns to tiie 

 fishermen who take them, as well aS in the Inarkets, the distinction 



