DECAPODA. CRUSTACEA. cancer. 323 



The color is yellowish beneath, and brick-red above. The 

 limbs are mottled and reticulated with these two colors, mixed 

 with purplish ; and on the back are two curved ranges of yellow- 

 ish spots, and a figure, behind the middle, somewhat resembling 

 the letter H. Length 2| inches ; breadth 3f inches. 



I have been particular to give a full description of this species, 

 because two species have hitherto been confounded under this 

 name, both by Mr. Say and Mr. Bell, under the supposition that 

 one was the male and the other the female. But as I have males 

 for both this and the next species, and females which do not ma- 

 terially differ from the males, there can be no mistake on this 

 ground. They are constantly distinct. It is probable that Mr. 

 Say drew his description principally from individuals of the next 

 species, to which his figure corresponds. But as Mr. Bell has 

 figured this, so beautifully, as C. irrordtus, it must retain the name 

 allowed it by both authors. Dr. Binney, as well as myself, per- 

 ceived the differences several years ago ; and he had a drawing of 

 this species made from life. 



It is caught in deep water, and Is not so common as the next 

 species. It sometimes becomes very large, and a specimen in 

 the cabinet of the Boston Society of Natural History measures 

 3 inches in length, and 4^ in breadth. It is brought to market 

 for food. 



C. Sayi, Gould. Cttrapax transversely oval, with nine simple 

 teeth each side ; front three toothed ; surface dotted with reddish- 

 broivn ; hands icith four or five elevated lines on the outside. 



C. irroratus, Say ; Journ. Jlcad. Nat. Sc, i. 59, (in pait,) pi. 4, f. 2. 



Resembles the preceding species in general, but differs in the 

 following particulars. The form of the carapax is less oval, being 

 prolonged into angles at the sides ; it is also less convex. The 

 surface is not conspicuously granulated, but smooth ; its ground 

 color yellow, and closely dotted with dark purplish-brown, which 

 becomes reddish-brown after death. The teeth have not their 

 margins denticulated, but simple ; they are more pointed and pro- 

 longed, especially the hinder ones. The limbs are at least a 

 fourth longer in proportion, the thighs of the second and third pairs, 



