THE FLATTENED MUD-CRAB. 



587 



WE now leave the swimming and marine crabs, and turn to those which are able to 

 spend a great part of their existence out of the water. The FLATTENED MUD-CRAB 

 belongs to a tolerably numerous genus of crabs, which live along the banks of rivers or 

 in damp forests, and are evidently a link between the aquatic and the true land-crabs. 

 The THELPHUSA lives in burrows which it excavates in the mud to a considerable depth- 

 and gives the fisherman no small trouble before it can be dug out. 



One species of this genus, the GRANCIO of the Italians, is very common around Rome 

 and is largely captured for sale in the markets, as its flesh is very delicate, and in great 

 request on the fast days of the church. It is dug out of the mud and kept alive for sale, 

 as it can endure removal from the water for a very long time, sometimes living a month 

 upon dry land, the only precaution needful being that' it should be kept in a damp spot, 

 such as a cellar. It is a most useful species, as it can be eaten throughout the entire 

 year, but is thought to be in best condition during and immediately after the moult. 

 There are many ways of dressing this delicacy, some persons killing it by long immersion 



FLATTENED MUD-CIlAli. Tkelpkfoa depressa. 



in milk, and others asserting that its flesh has more flavour if eaten raw, like that of the 

 oyster. In the market these crabs are tied to strings, but always at such lengths that 

 they cannot reach each other, or if they should do so they would of a certainty attack 

 and maim their nearest neighbours. 



The Lake of Albano is a very favourite resort of these crabs, which absolutely swarm 

 in its soft uiuddy bed. On the first view, the Mud-crab looks very like the common 

 green crab of the sea-shore, but can be distinguished by its colour, which is of a whitish 

 or livid hue. It runs about with great speed, and when it fears the approach of an enemy, 

 hurries into the water, burrows under the mud, or hides itself beneath a friendly stone. 

 Should, however, its retreat be cut off, it proves that it can fight as well as run, and grips 

 with such force, that it makes the blood flow before it can be shaken off. During the 

 winter it dives deeply into the mud, and there remains hidcien, until the warmth of spring 

 induces it to leave its retreat. 



