92 



PORTUNID.E. 



Leach's figure, in his Malacostraca Britannia, is coloured 

 after life, and exhibits a remarkable assemblage of hues, 

 the general tint being a reddish brown, and the naked 

 portions a bright blue. 



Its velvety coat has procured for it the English name 

 of Velvet Crab, and the French one of Crabe a laine. 



The Velvet Crab is found in considerable quantities, all 

 along the south-western coast of England. In Cornwall 

 and Devonshire it is very common ; I have taken it in 

 Swanage and Studland Bays, and on the southern coast 

 of Kent, where, however, it appears to be more rare. Like 

 some other species, it appears in much greater numbers 

 during some seasons than in others. Mr. Hailstone has 

 the following note respecting its occurrence at Hastings. 

 " In July, 1834, several dozens were taken off Hastings, 

 to the astonishment of the fishermen, who had rarely seen 

 them here ; and, since that influx, they have quite dis- 

 appeared. This advance and retreat is of frequent occur- 

 rence.'" Mr. Embleton, in his list of the Crustacea found 

 on the coasts of Berwickshire and North Durham, men- 

 tions its occurrence as not uncommon. Mr. Thompson 

 records its existence on all parts of the Irish coast ; and 

 states, after Dr. Drummond, that it is taken commonly 

 at Bangor by boys, who find it lurking under stones in 

 rocky pools at low water. Mr. Couch observes that it 

 is found in the adult state at a few fathoms' depth, but 

 that the younger ones are found at low- water mark amongst 

 stones, under which they conceal themselves. I have cer- 

 tainly obtained the larger specimens at a considerable dis- 

 tance from the shore by dredging, as well as in lobster-pots. 

 The whole of the species of this genus are remarkably 

 active and pugnacious ; but this is, according to the tes- 

 timony of Mr. Couch, " the most active and fierce of the 



