BRITISH STALK-EYED CRUSTACEA. 417 
half a dozen interesting little oysters (Ostrea edulis), of within 
the first year’s growth. Another example in the same collection 
is comparatively clean, but on the carapace is a fine young oyster 
of between the second and third years of age. We think this 
conclusively proves that the change of exoskeleton is much more 
rarely, or possibly never, effected after a certain age. 
Maia squinado is one of the largest of our English “ crabs,” 
and its size has therefore attracted attention to it as an article 
of food. It is “The Spider,” par excellence, and is eaten in 
many localities, principally by the poorer classes, who almost 
invariably recognise it by the above name. Prof. Bell records 
an amusing incident to illustrate this; he also speaks of their 
being sold at Poole and also in Cornwall; in the latter they are 
known as the “ Corwich.” In Jersey, where they are called by the 
fishermen “‘pianne,” they are largely caught, both in “ pots” and 
also at low tide near La Rocque. We accompanied a fisherman on 
a visit to his pots, and took about sixty of these crabs, male and 
female in almost equal numbers, which he said was a fair “take” 
for about five and twenty pots. As this sort of thing goes on 
comparatively regularly, and has for generations past, the supply 
of M. squinado certainly seems remarkable. As regards the crab 
as an article of food, it certainly has the disadvantage of paucity 
of “meat,” but the flavour is delicate and sweet, and in some 
opinions superior to that of Cancer pagurus. 
Prof. Bell, in his work, quotes an interesting account, by 
Mr. Couch, of the early life of M. squinado, to which we would 
refer our readers; his description of the appearance of the ova 
is very correct, and his general observations most valuable as 
illustrating the early life-history of this interesting animal. 
This species is fairly distributed, and may be said to be 
‘common, particularly on our southern shores. M. Milne-Edwards 
says, “it inhabits the Channel, the ocean, and the Mediterranean”’; 
he also goes on to record a somewhat interesting mythological 
idea, namely, “The ancients considered it as having the gift of 
intellect, and represented it as hanging around the neck of Diana 
of Ephesus, as an emblem of wisdom. It is also put as an effigy 
on some of their medals.” 
It is common on the southern coast of Ireland, and also, 
according to the ‘Natural History Review’ (vol. iv. p. 152), at 
Galway. We are indebted to Mr. E. B. Kemp-Welch, of Bourne- 
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