OECARCINUS. 



OECARCINUS. 



'. .: 



collection of the late Her. Landsdown Guilding. One of the bottles 

 in which one of these wu deposited was labelled by the but-mentioned 

 gentleman, ' Eggs and Young of a Land-Crab not undergoing Heta- 

 morphosia,' From tub apecinien Mr. Wattwood obtained eggs, and 

 young crab* evidently just hatched, and others at a rather later stage 

 of their growth. The eggs were of a dark reddish colour, showing 

 through the outer integument the rudiment*! limbs of a future 

 animal of a paler colour. On removing the thin transparent pellicle 

 which surrounded one of these eggs, the eyes were most conspicuous, 

 the tail was seen extended as a narrow plate, nearly reaching to the 

 eyes, and along its sides lay the large anterior cheliferous and the 

 four following simple pairs of liinbs. The existing organs, although 

 perfectly discernible, occupied only a small portion of one side of the 

 egg, iU greater part being filled with hardened matter composed of 

 minute molecular grains. The animal was in a sufficiently forward 

 state of development not to allow the least doubt to be entertained 

 as to the nature of these limbs, nor did any organs appear answering 

 to the two large split pairs of natatory organs of Zafa, The braiichijc, 

 in a fleshy and unorganised state, were also found at the base of the 

 legs. The eggs were 1 4 lines in diameter. 



Mr. Westwood gives in hU ' Memoir ' figures of the egg, and of the 

 young crab in progressive stages of growth. 



As an article of food some of the Land-Crabs, when in season and 

 well nourished, may be considered as combining the qualities of 

 wholesomeness and delicious flavour. We have conversed with men 

 of various tastes who have partaken of this luxurious food, and all 

 agree in describing it as exquisite. Indeed it appears that when 

 simply cooked in its own juices, in its own shell, it requires no con- 

 diment but a squeeze of the fragrant lime to make it one of the best 

 of dishes. " When the Black Crab (Oecarcinut ruricola) is fat," says 

 Dr. Patrick Browne, " and in a perfect state, it surpasses everything 

 of the sort in flavour and delicacy ; and frequently joins a little of 

 the bitter with its native richness, which renders it not only more 

 agreeable in general, but makes it sit extremely easy upon the stomach. 

 They are frequently boiled and served up whole ; but are commonly 

 stewed when served up at the more sumptuous tables." Land-Crabs 

 have been brought alive to this country, and have been exhibited in the 

 Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park, London. The question has 

 been asked why are not these crabs imported for our tables as 

 regularly as turtle ( Barrels with grass and other vegetables, such 

 as they are generally kept in, when there is no better convenience, in 

 their native country, would not take much room on the deck of 

 vessels ; and if the crabs were collected at the proper time and allowed 

 sufficient moisture, and only sufficient to keep them in health, an 

 ordinary voyage would bring them to us, most probably, in very fair 

 condition. 



SI. Milne-Edwards separates the Qecarcinians into the following 

 genera : 



I'ca (Latreille). Carapace much wider than it is long, of a sub- 

 oval shape, and very much elevated ; front narrower than in the other 

 Qvcarcinians, very much inclined, and nearly semicircular ; orbits 

 rather large, and open externally below their external angle ; anterior 

 fossettes suboval, small, and separated by a small triangular prolon- 

 gation from the epistome ; the external antenna occupies the orbitary 

 internal canthus ; the buccal frame is of a rhomboidal form ; the 

 second and third joint of the external jaw-feet are quadrilateral, 

 nearly of the same size, and terminate on the internal side by a 

 straight border ; the fourth joint is inserted at the external angle of 

 the preceding, and is applied against its anterior border; the feet 

 present nothing particular, except that the pincers are a little widened 

 at the end and slightly spoon-shaped, and that the tarsi are flattened, 

 not spinous, and nearly of the same form as in Ocypode ; thoracic 

 branchiie five ; the membrane which lines the vault of the branchial 

 cavity is folded below and within, so as to form at its lower part a 

 sort of gutter or trough. (Mime-Edwards.) 



Ufa una (Marcgrave). M. Milne-Edwards considers this to : 

 Cancer L' fa tad Cancer cordatui of Linnaeus, Cancer cordatiu of Herbst, 

 Ocypode cordata of Latreille (' Hist. Nat. des Crust et Ins.'), an 

 una of the same author (' Encyc. Method.'), and (lerarcinui I'm of 

 Lamarck. He observes that M. Latreille cites his Ocypode fottor as 

 one of the synonyms of Ufa mm, but that he (M. Milne-Edwards) 

 is inclined to believe that it is rather referrible to I'fa litru. 



The lateral edges of the carapace in this species are furnished with 

 a small projecting and finely-dentilated crest. Pterygostomian regions 

 very granulous. Manus spiny above and within. Feet hairy below, 

 moderate in length; the third pair rather longer than the others. 

 Size, 2 inches (French). The I'ca una is a native of South Ann 



Cardiioma (Latreille). Carapace more elevated and square than in 

 the greater part of the same tribe. Buccal frame in the shape of a 

 long squared figure, with its lateral edges straight. The second joint 

 of the external jaw-feet narrowed anteriorly, and the third, which is a 

 little shorter than the preceding, widening from behind forwards, so 

 that these organs leave between them, in the middle of the buccal 

 apparatus, a wide space with nearly the form of a lozenge ; the third 

 joint, which is nearly cordiform, is notched on its anterior border, and 

 gives insertion at its external angle to the fourth joint, which like the 

 succeeding ones always remains exposed. Front very large and nearly 

 straight Auteunary fossettes transversal, and separated by a semi- 

 circular and very wide surface. Feet of the third and fourth pairs 

 longest; the tarsi quadrilateral and very spiny. Branchiae placed 

 under the vault of the sides, seven on each side, the first being 

 ordinarily very small and the last two very long. 



The species of this genus live in the woods, and dig deep and 

 oblique holes, whence they come not forth except at night. (Milne- 

 Edwards.) 



C. Carnifejr. This, according to M. Milne-Edwards, is the Cancer 

 Carnifex of Herbst ; Ocypode cordata, Gtcarcinvi Carnifex, and t'anti- 

 toma Carnifex of Latreille ; and he cites also liecarcinut kirtipa of 

 Lamarck, as a synonym, but with a query. Carapace very much 

 elevated, and its surface very much curved from before backwards, 

 but nearly horizontal transversely : its lateral edges marked by a pro- 

 jecting and elevated line. A small tooth behind the external orbitary 

 angle. Four rows of spines upon the tarsi ; the two lower not nume- 

 rous. Pincers large on one side. Manus very largo. Fingers touching 

 nearly throughout their length. Length, 2 iuches (French). (Milne- 

 Edwarda) 



It is found in the neighbourhood of Pondicherry. 



Cardiioma Carmfti. 



Cancer Hydromtu of Herbst, in the opinion of M. Milne-Edwards, 

 is evidently a species approximating closely to the preceding, if indeed 

 it can be distinguished from it. 



Cardimma (ni<tiiliunii, which inhabits the Antilles, is more Hum 

 three inches in length, and the claws of the male ore larger than the 

 body, very much curved, and not touching except nt llu-ir extremity. 



Oecarcoidea. Carapace more oval and less elevate. 1 tlian in tip in-r- 

 eading genera. Front of moderate length, straight, and very mneh 

 inclined. Antenuary fossettes rounded, and separated by a mnall 

 triangular prolongation of the front. Orbit* small ; their inferior 

 border much less projecting than in the preceding genera, and leaving 

 between its internal angle and the external antenna a large and deep 

 notch. Buccal frame not so clearly circumscribed as ordinarily, and 

 rather circular than square. External jaw-feet with a wide space 

 between them ; their third joint much less tlian the second, nearly 

 quadrilateral, little or not at nil narrowed backwards, and deeply 

 notched at its anterior edge, at the middle of which iv inserted the 

 succeeding joint, which is exposed. 



0. Lalandii. Carapace inclining to oval, and without a crest on its 



