CRABS AND LOBSTERS. I3Q 



statement, and Bell could easily have substantiated it, as we 

 have done. 



We shall not be long at our work before we meet with far 

 too many examples of the Common Shore Crab, Green Crab 

 or Harbour Crab (Cardnus m<znas) ; young specimens of 

 which will scuttle away sideways with marvellous alacrity, but 

 bigger examples will at once put up their heavy hands and 

 challenge us to fight. Everybody that has been to the sea-shore 

 knows this crab, for even if entirely void of curiosity as 

 to the wonders of the shore, Carcmtis mcenas will not be 

 ignored. Whether the shore be sandy or rocky, or of that 

 nondescript character that pertains to many harbours, a mix- 

 ture of sand, stones, and domestic rubbish, this crab will be 

 seen strolling along at a little distance from the water. All 

 know its mottled greeny-yellowy-brown back, and the strength 

 of its sharp nippers ! There is only this one member of the 

 genus, so that there is little danger of confusing it with its 

 nearest relations. It most closely resembles certain of the 

 swimming-crabs (Portunus), to be described hereafter, but 

 may be readily separated from them by glancing at the ter- 

 minal joint of the last pair of feet. In Po>tun s this is flattened 

 out as though it had been beaten on an anvil until it was 

 very broad and very thin, to serve as a swimming plate. In 

 Car anus, though the smaller legs are obviously compressed, 

 this last joint of all is stout and runs off to a rounded point, 

 more suited for obtaining a good hold of a sandy bottom than for 

 swimming. We shall find it frequently under both weeds and 

 stones. It is an omnivorous feeder, accepting fish, flesh, or 

 fowl; stealing bait from the fisherman's lines and from his 

 crab-pots, disfiguring the fish which has been already caught 

 on spillers, and, worse than all, causing great havoc among the 

 young oysters that have been laid down in the beds, by eating 

 them, shell and all. They are said to form an important 

 article of food along the shores of the Adriatic, and they were 

 at one time not unknown in the London markets. Leach says 



