74 GENUS OCYPODE- ' 



zontal before their tips, with the most perfect regularity, 

 giving to the whole surface a reticulated appearance; be- 

 neath the lateral edge of the thorax are about six short 

 ciliate curves, disposed in a longitudinal series; no elevated 

 lateral line; feet rather short- thighs mucronate above near 

 the ti]), with minute aculcas behind, which are wanting on 

 the posterior ones; tibia clothed with fine, dense, incumbent 

 hairs; tarsi short, acute, striate with six ciliated lines; ante- 

 rior feet rather large, thick, scabrous with minute abbre- 

 viated, moniliform lines; carpus unarmed, hands rounded 

 beneath, with a moniliform edge above, which becomes al- 

 most serrate on the thumb; second peduncular joint of the 

 external pedipalpi, with a strong, elevated line on the in- 

 ner margin. 



Inhabits the banks of creeks, 8cc. in salt marshes, 

 where it digs a hole for a habitation in the manner of the 

 Fiddler, with which it associates by dwelling in the same 

 vicinity. 



The small reticulate divisions of the sides of the 

 body, are either perfectly square, rhomboidal, or hexago- 

 nal, according to the direction in which they are viewed, 

 they may also resemble right lines by a perpendicular view, 

 which shall bring the inflected portion of the seta parahel 

 over the granulated line. 



Fearful of multiplying genera without full and sufficient 

 grounds, I have retained the genus Ocypode in the compre« 

 hensive sense of Mr. Latrcille, in order to place under it the 

 present animal. Doctor Leach has divided Ocypode into 

 several genera, but perhaps the" characters are not sufficiently 

 noted, or, which is more probable, the division must be 

 sliil further extended. With this view all the characters 

 possible ought to be given, in order to enable naturalists to 



