168 FISH. 



PATELLA, OR LIMPET. 



The name of this animal is derived from the 

 Greek word "iraTiXXa," "little dishes." The 

 species of this genus adhere to the sea rocks near 

 the shore, and are not without difficulty detached, 

 except when taken by surprise; they are eatable 

 and occasionally consumed by the poor inhabi- 

 tants of the coast, but are hard and indigestible. 

 Ten varieties are known in this country. 



CANCER PAGURUS, OR COMMON CRAB. 



There are no less than forty varieties of this 

 animal, all of which are edible, but the C. pagurus 

 is the one best known to commerce, vast quan- 

 tities being consumed every year in this country. 

 The whole of this family are taken in crab-pots 

 generally made of wicker-work, but sometimes 

 also of net and wire- work, which are sunk to the 



