196 SWIMMING-CRABS. 



snout in front. The commonest species of these (Steno- 

 rhyncus phalangium) is met with on most parts of the 

 coast, frequenting scallop-banks, and similar ground. 

 Its body is an inch or more in length, triangular, and 

 rough with several spines, and rising into prominences. 

 Its legs are three or four times as long as its body, 

 with long slender joints, and it has a pair of stout arms, 

 terminating in large claws. Both legs and arms are 

 rough with hairs. Its habits are sluggish, its motions 

 slow and feeble, and when caught it does not show fight 

 nor make the efforts to escape, which most other Crabs 

 do on being captured. Very frequently its shell is 

 completely covered with a growth of sea-weeds or 

 Zoophytes. Others of the group of Spider-Crabs have 

 similar habits and general aspect, except that some 

 are smooth, with fewer prominences on the shell. 

 Leaving them, we next find the family of Maiadce. 

 These bear a considerable resemblance to the true 

 Spider-Crab, especially in the triangular form of the 

 body, and its usually rough surface ; but their legs are 

 stouter and less elongate. The resemblance to the 

 Spider is still sufficiently great, and they obtain this 

 name from fishermen. The largest of the group, Maia 

 squinado, is eaten on some parts of the coast. It has an 

 oval body, very convex, produced in front into two stout 

 horns, and roughened over all parts of its surface with 

 spines and tubercles of various sizes. The legs are stout 

 and exceedingly rough and hairy, with tuberculated 

 joints. The claws are small, and the arms not much 

 stouter than the legs. The family of Swimming-Crabs 

 or Portunidce, many kinds of which are met with in 



