280 ARTICULATA. CRUSTACEA. 



and highly esteemed Crab of our markets (C. Pa- 

 gurus*) is found all round our coast, especially on 

 rocky shores. Its shell is reddish-brown, almost 

 smooth, the margin cut into nine scallops on each 

 side, and three teeth in front. The claws are large, 

 smooth, with black fingers, studded with a row of 

 blunt knobs on the inner edge. It is sometimes 

 found a foot wide, and weighing eight or nine pounds. 

 It has been supposed that the Crustacea shed their 

 shell annually as long as they live ; but that this 

 takes place only up to a certain age, is proved by 

 the fact, that a specimen of the present species was 

 taken in April, 1832, covered with Oysters, some of 

 which were four inches long and six years old : it 

 seemed to be in perfect health. It was found on 

 our own coast, and is now in the British Museum. 

 When moulting, our species becomes soft and wa- 

 tery, and unfit for food ; but some, which are found 

 in the United States and the West Indies, are then 

 in the highest perfection. Pennant says, that our 

 common species is the most delicious of any : it 

 casts its shell between Christmas and Easter : the 

 males are the most esteemed, and have the largest 

 claws. 



The Crab is caught in various ways. The children 

 of fishermen often take small ones on a rocky beach 

 at low water, by inserting a hooked stick into the 

 crevices ; the angry Crab grasps the intruding wea- 

 pon with such tenacity that he is dragged out. In 



, pagouros, the Greek name of some Crab. Arist. 



