ORDER P(ECILOPODA — ARGULUSe 57 
once by their inferior size. It is also sometimes called the Sauce-pan, in allusion to the 
shape of its shield, which is frequently used as a bale for boats. They come up on the shore 
at high water in May, when the sexes are frequently found attached. They are speared at 
that time in great numbers, and eaten with great avidity by hogs and poultry; but care must 
be taken to give them other food for some time previous to being killed, or their flesh will 
have a rank disagreeable taste. It is even said that this flavor will be communicated to the 
eggs of fowls which have fed on these animals. When, however, the flesh of this crab is 
carefully separated from the other parts, and boiled, it becomes a delicious savory food. 
They crawl slowly along the bottom, and I have never seen them swimming near the surface. 
When thrown upon their backs, they inflect the anterior portion of the shield upon the poste- 
rior, and likewise turn it so far back, that with the aid of their tail as a lever, they succeed, 
after many awkward attempts, in recovering their natural position. They are frequently caught 
so abundantly as to be used as a manure. 
The geographical distribution of this species on our coast is not yet determined. It occurs 
from Massachusetts to Virginia, and probably farther south to the Gulf of Mexico, if the fol- 
lowing, which is supposed by Mr. Say to be probably distinct, should prove to be a mere 
variety. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 
P, australis. (Savy, Jour. Ac. Vol. 1, p. 436.) Disk five-spined; three in a longitudinal line, and a 
smaller one on each side in a transverse line with the anterior spine, and nearer to the elevated lateral 
angles. Carolina and Florida. 
Genus Arcutus, Muller. Body oblong, covered by a rounded oval membranous shield, somewhat 
flattened, emarginated behind. Feet twelve, of three kinds: the two anterior tubular, sub- 
hemispherical, adapted for prehension; those of the second pair biuncuiculate; the remainder 
natatory, having at their tips two lobes ciliated on their edges, Antenne four, very minute. 
Two distant eyes. Mouth externally a sucker of a conical shape, directed downwards, Pa- 
rasitic. 
A. catostomi. (Dana & Herrick, Am. Jour. Sc. Vol. 31, p. 297.) Shell nearly circular, transpa- 
rent, slightly convex. Eyes compound. Antenne before the eyes; posterior pair with four joints, 
one-third longer than the anterior pair, which has but two. Color, light sea-green. Attached to 
the inside of the gill-cover of a species of Catostomus. Connecticut. 
A. alose. (Gouvtxp, Invert. Mass. p, 340 and figure. See Pu. 10, fig. 45 of this book.) Shield obcor- 
date, covering only the first two pairs of legs. Abdomen narrow and half as long as the shield, 
bearing the next three pairs; these, as well as the preceding, have long fringed tips. Inferior 
caudal plates two, and covered by two others which are long and broad. Length, 0°5. Gills of 
the Alewife, A. vulgaris. Massachusetts 
Fauna — Part 6*. 8 
