THE FLATTEN KM Ml'lH'RAB. 



587 



\\ K 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 through- 

 out 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 



FLATTENED MUD-CRAB. TtuMflM depress* 



by long immersion in milk, and others asserting that its flesh has more flavor 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 neighbors. 



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

 in its soft muddy 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 color, which is of a whitish 

 or lived 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 hidden, until 

 the warmth of spring induces it to leave its retreat. 



