BRITISH STALK-EYED CRUSTACEA. 181 



common off that coast in undoubtedly deep water* Prof. Celler 

 says that it occurs at the Cape of Good Hope. We have obtained 

 it from Weymouth and Torbay, off both of which parts of the 

 coast it is not unfrequently found. The localities given by 

 M. Milne Edwards are the north-western and southern coasts of 

 France. It is said to be a very favourite food of many fishes, 

 particularly the Cod. 



We were told by the Penzance and Newlyn fishermen that 

 thej 7 only get this crab when the trawlers are beset by calm, so 

 that the trawl remains still for a time on the bottom of the sea. 

 These fishermen consider that Gonoplax is then tempted by the 

 fishy smell of the net to enter through the meshes, which are 

 tightened when being drawn up, and so closed as to prevent the 

 escape of the crabs. 



Planes Linnceana, Leach. 



This crab can only be said to be British from the fact that 

 specimens are washed ashore on our coasts occasionally, "nolens 

 volens," in the same manner as are sometimes tropical seeds. 

 Its true home is no doubt the Sargasso or Atlantic Gulf-weed 

 (Fucus vagans), but it has also been found attached to the bodies 

 of Turtles. 



P. Linnceana is a curious -looking species ; its carapace is 

 nearly square, with the posterior angles rounded, and the anterior 

 angles replaced by concave cavities to receive the eyes, which are 

 fixed upon stout peduncles. The antennas are verj' small. The 

 posterior legs are nearly equal, robust, and having the arm 

 toothed. The remaining legs are flat and clothed with setse. 

 The abdominal segments are seven in number in both sexes, 

 those of the male triangular, and of the female circular. 



* In the 2nd edition of the ' Fauna of Cornwall,' 1878, the section on 

 Crustacea, originally written by the late Mr. Couch, was edited by Mr. C. 

 Spence Bate. At p. 72 Mr. Bate says, after Gonoplax angulatus, "Mr. 

 Couch next describes a very doubtful species under the name of Gelasimus 

 Bellii, which Mr. Bell thinks may be the young of Roux's Gonophax 

 rhomboides, which most carcinologists consider as a variety of G. angulata." 

 Then follows Couch's description in full, the chief points of difference being, 

 "Foot-stalk of the eye long and slender, the transparent cornea small. 

 Carapace resembling that of Gonoplax, but more advanced in front and less 

 extended laterally." 



