THE CRAB FISHERIES. 649 



within the shells of the edible mussel (Mytilus edulis) and the smooth scallop (Pecten tenuicostatus), 

 and were either of those mollusks extensively used as food with us, as the former is in Europe, the 

 little crab would probably be classed as edible. It is frequently very abundant. When dredging 

 off the mouth of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, in 1880, the Fish Commission steamer discovered 

 numerous beds of the smooth scallop, from a bushel of which fully half a pint of crabs was obtained. 

 The same crab was also found abundantly, in 1881 and 1882, in the mussels which form extensive 

 beds on some of the muddy bottoms of Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts. 



A third species of Pinnotheres occurs on the Pacific coast of the' United States, in the shells of 

 i he California mussel (Mytilus californianus) and of anothtr-large mollusk (Pachydesma), and is 

 said to be eaten. 



THE BOCK CRAB. Both the rock crab (Cancer irroratus, Say) and the Jonah crab (Cancer 

 borealis, Stimp.) are very abundant on the New England coast, the former being widely distributed 

 and the latter somewhat local in its occurrence. They are both considered very good eating, but 

 are not much appreciated by the inhabitants of the coast along which they live, and are not, 

 therefore, commonly sought for as articles of food. One reason why they are not more exten- 

 sively used is probably the fact that their distribution is co-extensive with that of the lobster, 

 which is everywhere much more highly esteemed. The rock crab, the more abundant of the 

 two species, also seldom averages large in size. Neither of the species is marketed in the soft 

 shell condition, and soft-shell crabs of the genus Cancer are seldom found upon the shores. The 

 vicinity of Point Shirley, on the north side of the entrance to Boston Harbor, is the only locality 

 where either of these species is regularly fished for. The species found there is the rock crab, 

 and the entire catch is sent to the Boston markets. At numerous other places along the New 

 England coast, the rock and Jonah crabs are taken occasionally in small quantities for home con- 

 sumption and for use as bait. We have heard of their being used as food at Newburyport, Glon 

 cester, New Bedford, Newport, and Stoniugton. At all of these places, excepting Newport, 

 Cancer irroratus is probably the only species obtained in sufllcient quantities. At Newport, how. 

 ever, Cancer borealis may be seen in the markets, though never abundantly, during the summer 

 months. In that city it is said to be preferred by many to the blue crab, though both species 

 are eaten. The trade is small and mainly limited to supplying the summer visitors. These crabs 

 are quite common in and about Narragansett Bay, and are sometimes caught at low- water mark, 

 but more often in slight depths of water near shore, in lobster pots and nets. 



As cold weather sets in, both species of Cancer retire to deeper water, and are more difficult 

 to obtain. The only appliances of capture used regularly in the crab fishery of New England are 

 scoop-nets and the old style of baited hoop-nets. Incidentally crabs are taken in seines and lobster 

 pots and on trawl lines set for fish. The rock crab and possibly also the Jonah crab are employed 

 as bait for the cod, tautog, bass, and other species of fish. 



The rock crab (Cancer irroratus) is the only species of crab brought direct to the Boston market. 

 Only about four thousand by count are sold annually in Boston, all, or nearly all, of these passing 

 through the hands of two or three dealers in Quincy market. They are brought almost solely from 

 Point Shirley, and sell in the market at the rate of $2.50 per one hundred. The yearly sales, there- 

 fore, amount to only about $100. 



Most of the blue crabs sold in Boston pass through the New York markets. From 3,000 to 

 5,000 dozens are handled every year. 



The sales of rock and Jonah crabs on the New England coast in 1880 did not apparently exceed 

 a total of $200. 



THE MUD CRABS. Four species of mud crabs, of which the largest is the Panopeus fferbstii, 



