64 



they lodged, where it was very common, apparently coming 

 from the larch beams). Anoplodera sexguttata, Lciopus 

 nebulosus, Clytus mysticus, C. arictis, Grammoptera ruficornis, 

 G. prceusta, G. tabacicolor, Tctrops prceusta, Toxotus meridianus, 

 Rhagium inquisitor, and R. bifasciatum, all on whitethorn 

 bloom. 



Mr. Manger exhibited a number of Crustacea from the 

 West Indies, and contributed the following notes : 



" I have lately had brought to me by my son some crabs 

 from the West Indies, which, although they are all well 

 known, are none the less sufficiently interesting to merit a 

 word or two on each species. 



" Gecarcinus nincola. — This is the familiar land crab, 

 common in most of the West Indian Islands. The specimens 

 exhibited came from Barbadoes, where, in certain districts, 

 they are so numerous that when they creep out of their 

 holes the ground seems to be in motion. They generally 

 live on the hills, about a mile and a half from the coast. If 

 you have no stick in your hand they will approach in a 

 threatening manner, clashing their claws together, but if 

 they are assailed they retreat facing the foe ; when seized 

 by a leg or claw, they relinquish it most readily, to be 

 renewed at the future changes of skin. The pairing season 

 is March and April, and in the rainy season they march in 

 great numbers towards the sea to bathe and lay their eggs, 

 nothing seeming to hinder them from going the straight 

 road over everything, hedges, houses, cliffs, etc., clambering 

 up at the risk of their lives, rather than make a circuit. 

 About July they fatten and prepare to cast their old shell r 

 and at this time they are said to be excellent eating. 



" Grapsus maculatus, from St. Kitts. — This crab runs with 

 astonishing velocity among the rocks near the sea, and it is 

 exceedingly difficult to capture uninjured specimens, as they 

 cling so tightly to the perpendicular cliffs and rocks, which 

 they resemble so well in colour. 



" Ocypodc quadrata, from St. Kitts. — As the name ' swift of 

 foot ' implies, these crabs are specially noted for their rapidity 

 of movement. They frequent sandy beaches, where they 

 burrow deep holes, wandering about at low tide in search of 

 food. 



" Rcmipcs scutellatus. — Very little seems to be known about 

 these curious little animals ; they live in the sand, and are 

 very active at low tides, jumping in great leaps, which makes 

 them very difficult to capture." 



Mr. F. Noad Clark exhibited photo-micrographs of the 



