196 LIFE BY THE SEASHORE. 



the two, noting the superficial points of resemblance, and 

 the real points of contrast. Unfortunately the two are not 

 likely to be both found in the same locality. 



The next form is one which is not edible and has therefore 

 no common name. This is unfortunate, because it is in 

 some places extraordinarily common, almost as common as 

 that ubiquitous form which has appropriated the name of 

 "shore crab" par excellence. This is Hyas araneus (see 

 Fig. 55), the common spider-crab of the East Coast. 

 Abundant as it is, it is not a form often seen except when 

 searched for, and to very many people is known, if known 

 at all, only by the dead specimens flung on the beach after 

 storms. Nevertheless, in the right places one may find a 

 dozen large living specimens in the course of half an hour. 

 What are the right places ? is the question naturally asked. 

 Two localities I have always found specially productive. 

 First, deep rocky pools, preferably with overhanging edges 

 densely overgrown with the finer kinds of weed and with 

 zoophytes, whose waters never completely drain away, even 

 at the lowest tide. Secondly, those beds of rounded boulders 

 overgrown with Irish moss and red seaweeds, which are 

 sometimes exposed for a short time at low spring tides. 

 In such places the common spider-crab is generally abundant, 

 but I have never found it so in places where there was not 

 abundant moisture, and a dense growth of red seaweeds, 

 zoophytes, and sponges. Similar growths also cover the 

 back of the crab, and often conceal most of the peculiarities 

 of structure. Your specimens are not likely to live very 

 long in captivity, and while they live are often of more 

 interest on account of the delicate zoophytes they bear on 

 their backs, than because of their own habits, which are 

 chiefly interesting because of their profound leisureliness. 

 When they succumb to the injurious effects of their new 

 surroundings, they may be carefully cleaned and the structure 

 made out. 



The process of cleaning is best accomplished by picking 

 off the encrusting weeds bit by bit with forceps. As you 

 do so you will find that they are attached by hook :d hairs 

 of remarkable appearance, which cover the surface of the 

 body, and are often very conspicuous in the dried specimens 

 found upon the beach. The hairs are of very considerable 



