I 1 6 MUNSON. [Vol. XV. 



clearing in xylol, the sections were dehydrated in absolute alco- 

 hol, containing powdered copper sulphate. This method was 

 reversed when lithium-carmine could be associated with the 

 Lyon's blue. With the method above described, I have not 

 found it necessary to watch the stain under the microscope 

 with the care which Miss Foot ('96) seems to think is neces- 

 sary. On the whole, Ehrlich's haematoxylin, followed with 

 acid fuchsin, has been the method that I have placed great- 

 est reliance on in the case of material killed in Merkel's 

 fluid. Weigert's picro-carmine has also been found very use- 

 ful. The specific effect of each is more profitably stated in 

 connection with the description which follows. 



It has been found very profitable to verify as many of the 

 points as possible on the living material. Much uncertainty 

 has been removed in that way. 



Oecology. 



Oviposition. — Many of the observations of Packard ('70), 

 Kingsley ('92), Lockwood ('70), Agassiz ('78), and others have 

 been confirmed. Oviposition, at Woods HoU, takes place dur- 

 ing the months of May, June, and July. The females at this 

 season frequent a particular beach characterized by an abun- 

 dance of medium-sized sand and the entire absence of rocks. 

 They appear to come in with the tide. As stated by Kings- 

 ley and others, they are usually accompanied by one or more 

 males, one of which has attached himself to the posterior mar- 

 gin of the female carapace, the other males occupying a similar 

 position with reference to him and to each other. 



If the male occupying the position described be seized and 

 raised out of the water, he does not let go his hold, but lifts 

 the much larger female out with him. If they are then 

 dropped into the water, they continue the same gait as if they 

 had never been molested. 



The attachment of the male appears to take place in deeper 

 water ; but frequently isolated males may be seen moving over 

 the shallow bottom off shore, apparently in search of females, 

 which, when they approach, they appear to recognize at consid- 



