564 THE THORNBACK SPIDER-CRAB, OR SQUINADO; 



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 were 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 Mediter- 

 ranean, 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 crustaceans 

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

 One of these is the FOUR-HORNED SPIDER-CRAB (Arctopsis tetraodoti), 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 color 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 succeeding tide, though 

 bones and other hard portio'ns 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 



