BRITISH STALK-EYED CRUSTACEA. 459 
At the time of exuviation the female retires to a secure rock- 
hole, where she is protected by a male, and it is at this period 
that impregnation takes place. 
Although so common and widely distributed it is not a frequent 
occurrence to meet with it in ova. Bell records that, according 
to Mr. Couch, this is deposited at all seasons of the year. We 
have not as yet had the advantage of meeting with it in a way 
that would enable us to describe it accurately from personal 
observation. 
This crab is known from almost all parts of our coasts, and is 
recognised by various names, the principal of which are, of course, 
“ The Crab” and the ‘“ Edible Crab.” In Scotland they are called 
“Partens;” in Kent, ‘‘Pungs.” In Jersey it is known as “ Poing- 
clos; in Guernsey, large full-grown examples, “ Chancre;” in 
some parts of France, ‘ Torteau.” 
We cannot pass over its occurrence in the Channel Islands 
without protesting against the way in which the extermination 
of this article of food is gradually there being carried out. It is 
a usual sight in the markets at St. Heliers to see, offered for sale 
at a mere nominal price, literally bushels of young C. pagurus, 
less than three inches across the carapace. As an article of food 
they are, at this age, comparatively worthless; whereas if their 
capture under a certain size were rigorously prohibited, as in 
England, the probability is that an ordinary sized specimen might 
sometimes be procured at a reasonable price, and would, moreover, 
be within the reach of those who are at present compelled to regard 
it in the light of a luxury. 
The fishermen of Mount’s Bay, Cornwall, say that formerly 
none but male crabs were taken for the market, owing to their 
superiority, but that of late years females have also been taken 
and sold at a lower price—often for as little as a penny or two- 
pence each. The French boats which sometimes enter Cornish 
waters are frequent purchasers of these female crabs. The result 
of this is only what might be expected—namely, that this animal 
is gradually becoming less abundant there, and also at Meva- 
-gissey, where the same practice has been carried on. In how 
many other localities this state of things occurs we cannot say, 
but if the commercial value of the female crab as an article of 
food be so much inferior to that of the male, when we consider 
to what prejudicial results their persistent capture will lead in 
