132 



GONOPLACIDJ3. 



species in the stomachs of cod-fish, purchased in the mar- 

 kets of Youghal and Dublin, and commonly in those 

 brought to the former place : four of these Crabs is the 

 greatest number he has obtained from the stomach of a 

 single fish. In the Ordnance Collection is a fine example, 

 labelled as procured at ' Bangor, January, 1836." 1 



It is a Mediterranean species, and is found also on the 

 north-west and southern coasts of France, according to the 

 observation of Dr. Milne Edwards. 



I cannot but believe that the Gonaplax rhomboides of 

 Roux and other authors, is merely a variety of this species, 

 in which opinion I concur with Mr. W. Thompson. Should 

 further observations, however, prove that it is distinct, it 

 is probable that the Gelasimus Bellii of Couches Cornish 

 Fauna will prove to be the female, or young male of that 

 species. 



It is found in moderately deep water ; and Leach re- 

 cords on the authority of Cranch, that " they live in ex- 

 cavations formed in the hardened mud, and that their 

 habitations, at the extremities of which they live, are open 

 at both ends." They appear to constitute a favourite food 

 of the cod and other fish, as, in addition to the observation 

 of Mr. Ball quoted above, Mr. Couch states that it is often 

 taken in their stomachs. 



