564 THE THORNBACK SPIDER-CEAB, OE SQUINlDO. 



Three examples of this genus are given in the illustration. The GOUTY CRAB has 

 been gifted with its very appropriate name on account of the knobby and swollen limbs, 

 which give it an aspect as if it weie suffering from the painful but unpitied disease from 

 which it derives its name. The specific title of Chiragra is of Greek origin, and bears a 

 similar signification. The Gouty Crab is known to be an inhabitant of the Mediterranean, 

 and is thought also to be a native of the West Indian seas. The specimen which is 

 figured was captured in the former locality. 



On the right-hand lower corner of the engraving is shown a creature which looks as if 

 it had been made almost at random out of a thistle-bud and a handful of thorns. This is 

 the THORNBACK CHORINUS, a species which can hardly be mistaken for any other, on 

 account of its altogether eccentric shape, and the branching spines which spring on every 

 side from its body and the joints of its limbs. It is but feebly provided with claws, these 

 members being little larger than the ordinary limbs ; and the eyes stand out on tolerably 

 long footstalks. 



The small specimen on the upper part of the engraving belongs to the same genus, 

 but at the date of publication has not received the specific name by which it will ever 

 afterwards be known. It has been selected for illustration on account of the substances 

 with which its surface is partially covered, two nummulites being the most conspicuous 

 of these objects. These animals are natives of the Eastern seas. 



Nearly related to these species, we find two moderately common British crustacean 

 which are interesting in their habits, though not particularly pleasing in their aspect. 

 One of these is the FOUR-HORNED SPIDER-CRAB (Arctopsis tetraodon). a rather long- 

 legged creature that seems to be very local in its habits, being rarely or never seen 

 in some localities, while in others it is found in vast numbers. This crab generally hides 

 itself under the overhanging masses of fuci which cover the submerged rocks, and thence 

 is fond of descending into the lobster and crab pots, and so is made captive by the 

 fishermen. The colour of this species is yellow, and the body and greater part of the 

 limbs are densely covered with thick hair. The male is larger than the female. 



The second species is the HARPER-CRAB, or GREAT SPIDER-CRAB, or SEA-TOAD (Hyas 

 araneus), as it is sometimes called. This is commonly found on nearly all the British 

 coasts, and prefers to range among the weeds just about the zone beneath low-water mark. 

 It is one of the day-feeders, and will often leave the waves for the purpose of feeding 

 upon the fish and other animal substances that have been flung upon the shore by 

 the tide. In some places it haunts the stake-nets, and there makes a regal feast before it 

 is disturbed by the proprietors. 



Two figures of a very common and a very useful British species are seen in the 

 illustration, one being represented on the left, and the other in the upper right-hand 

 corner, sitting on the rock. The common THORNBACK SPIDER-CRAB, or SQUINADO, is 

 plentiful upon our coasts, and, as may be seen by reference to the figure, is not a very 

 prepossessing creature in external appearance, its body being one mass of sharp and not 

 very short spines, and its whole frame possessing a weird-like and uncomely aspect. 



Ugly though it may be in an artistic point of view, it is one of the most useful 

 inhabitants of the sea, acting as a scavenger for the removal of the decaying animal 

 matter that is ever found in the seas. More especially along the shore, where the refuse 

 of mankind, such as unsaleable fish and crustaceans, are continually being cast into the 

 waves, the Squinado is found to perform the necessary office of removing all such 

 substances. It is a voracious creature, and being gifted with an acute sense of smell, is 

 sure to discover without delay any substance on which it can feed, and to make its way 

 thereto without delay. 



Supposing, for example, that a fisherman has been employed, according to the wont 

 of the race, in dressing-up, skinning, and trimming fish of various kinds, and has 

 carelessly flung the offal into the sea, or on the shore where the waves will soon cover it, 

 hardly a trace of the offensive substance will be found on the succeding tide, though bones 

 and other hard portions may be seen in plenty. For a myriad nostrils if the organs 

 which correspond to our sense of smell can be called by that name take cognisance of 



