650 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



Edwards, occur upon our eastern coast, inhabiting muddy bottoms principally, and seeking shelter 

 under stones or among alga?, and also occurring upon oyster beds. They are occasionally used as 

 bait, though only to a limited extent. 



THE STONE CRAB. The stone crab (Menippe mercenarius, Gibbes) ranges from North Carolina 

 to Texas, or, at least, throughout that section of coast the name "stone crab" is applied by the 

 inhabitants to one or more species of crabs, but whether in all cases to the same species or not, can 

 only be determined by a more thorough examination than has yet been made. On the south- 

 ern Atlantic coast, however, there appears to be no doubt that the stone crab is everywhere the 

 Menippe mercenarius. It is a much stouter form than the Callinectes, or blue crab, and of a more 

 solid build, with the outer covering or shell much thicker and harder. The body is also very much 

 smaller in proportion to the size of the claws, which are greatly developed. The average adult 

 individuals, in the vicinity of Charleston, S. C., measure about 4J inches across the carapax, 3 

 inches in length, and 1 to 2 inches in thickness. The claws, when folded against the front of the 

 body, measure 7 inches from elbow to elbow. 



The stone crab of the Atlantic coast lives in holes in the mud, along the borders of creeks and 

 estuaries, and iu the crevices between fragments of any solid materials that may occur near their 

 haunts, such as ballast thrown overboard from vessels, rocks in place, and the stone-work of break- 

 waters. It is not nearly as abundant as the blue crab, but by many is preferred as food to the 

 latter species. The large claws furnish most of the edible meat which they contain, and which is 

 said to be more lobster-like in texture and flavor than is the case with Callinectes. The stone crabs 

 are forcibly pulled from their holes, which are generally just large enough for them to enter with 

 their claws folded. The crabber inserts an arm into the hole, which sometimes reaches down 

 nearly 2 feet, and seizing the occupant by the elbow of the nearest claw draws him out as 

 quickly as possible, and then drops him before he has time to use his free claw. Once out of his 

 hole he is readily secured with the hands. These crabs usually offer stout resistance to being 

 dragged from their abodes, by firmly pressing their powerful cl aws against the sides. If the mud 

 in which they live be soft, a large quantity is pulled out with them, but if, on the contrary, it is so 

 compact and hard as to withstand the pressure brought to bear upon it in the struggle, the crab 

 must be taken out piecemeal. 



Stone crabs are seldom if ever found in the soft-shell condition, and the market supplies 

 therefore consist entirely of the hard crabs. Being less abundant than the blue-crabs and much 

 more difficult to capture, they are far less commonly seen in the markets, and also bring a higher 

 price. They are but rarely sent away from the sea-coast. The season corresponds more or less 

 with that of the blue crab, but they are supposed to occur in about the same situations throughout 

 the entire year. They are too valuable for food to be used for bait. 



At Beaufort and Morehead City, N. C., where stone crabs are moderately abundant, they are 

 sought for at intervals during the summer by five or six men. The catch for the season of 1879 

 was about three hundred dozens, which sold at the rate of 25 cents a dozen, amounting in all to 

 $75. About one-half of this amount was shipped to New Berne, Raleigh, and Goldsborough, the 

 remainder having been used locally. A correspondent at Morehead City states that the average 

 weight of the stone crab in that vicinity is about 10 ounces, although they attain a weight of 15 

 to 16 ounces at times. They live the entire year in holes on the grassy shoals, where the water 

 is from 6 inches to '2 feet deep at low tide. They are taken at all seasons, excepting in cold 

 weather, as the crabbers must wade for them. 



At Charleston, S. O., a great many stone crabs are brought to market, but no one engages 

 regularly in their capture. 



