442 THE LONG-SNOUTED CRAB. 



In some places it haunts the stake-nets, and there makes a regal feast before it is disturbed by 

 the proprietors. 



An example of a very common and a very useful European species is the common Tuoen- 

 back Spidek-crai?, or Sijuinado. It is plentiful upon European coasts, and is not a very 

 prepossessing creature in external appearance, its body being one mass of sharp and not very 

 short spines, and its whole frame possessing a weird-like and uncomely aspect. 



Another curious creature is the Tiiree-spined Spider-crab, so called from the peculiar 

 shape of the body, which, on accouut of the projecting beak and the strange modification of 

 the carapace, has a kind of three-cornered aspect. Several species of this genus are known, 

 and are found in the West Indian seas and off the Philippines. The present species is one of 

 the most common, and is found in the West Indies. 



Two remarkable examples of this family are the Ram's-horn Crab {Criocarcinus super- 

 ciliosus), a species which is distinguished by the two long, horn-like projections from the 

 snout, and the Thorn-claw Crab (Acanthont/x zebrida). The generic name Criocarcinus, which 

 is of Greek origin, and signifies Ram-crab, is given to the animal on account of this struc- 

 ture. The body is thorny, though not so wholly beset with spikes as in the spider-crab, and 

 the eyes are placed on moderately long footstalks. The specific term, superciliosus, refers to 

 a Latin word signifying an eyebrow, and is given to this crab on account of the over- 

 hanging plates under which the eyes are hidden when the footstalks are laid close to the 

 head, as is the custom of the creature when alarmed. The present species is found in the New 

 Hebrides. 



The Thorn-claw Crai? is a curious-looking little creature, especially notable for the large 

 and boldly hooked extremities of the limbs. The name of Acanthonyx, or Thorn-clawed, 

 is given to the genus on account of this structure. At first sight, the Acanthonyx hardly 

 seems to belong to the same family as the preceding species, the shape of the body being 

 apparently the reverse to that which is characteristic of the Maiadse. But on a closer exam- 

 ination, it is found that this difference is more apparent than real, and that though the body 

 seems to be wider across the head, or rather, the cephalo-thorax, to speak accurately, the width 

 is owing to mere projections and not to any increase of the actual body. The Thorn-claw Crab 

 is found in many European seas, and is tolerably common in the Mediterranean. 



Our last examples of the Maiadse are the Heraldic Crab (linen hi, heraldica), the Long- 

 snouted Crab (Ilite/iiaelo/u/ata), and the Micippa (Micippa philyra). 



In these three species can be observed a curious variation of form that takes place in ani- 

 mals that belong to the same family, and even to the same genus. The body of the Micippa 

 is very large in proportion to the limbs, rounded, and covered with numerous protuberances of 

 various sizes, mostly small tubercles, but sometimes being developed into bold spikes. The 

 claw legs are remarkably small in proportion, and the claws themselves are even more feeble 

 than might lie inferred from the dimensions of the entire limb. Several species of Micippa 

 are known, all of which are obtained from one or other of the Philippine Islands. 



The Heraldic Crab and the Long-snouted Crab are very dissimilar in external appearance, 

 and yet belong to the same genus. The Heualdic Crab derives its name from the shape of 

 its carapace, which presents a fanciful resemblance to the shield and mantle employed by 

 heraldic painters in depicting coat armor. The sides of the carapace are developed into four 

 singular projections, fiat, and looking very much as if pinched out of the shell while its mate- 

 rial was plastic. The snout is tolerably long and very sharply pointed, and the eyes only just 

 project from under the protecting shell. 



The Long-snouted Crai; is a creature in which the carapace, instead of being wide, flat- 

 tened, and formed with ring-like projections at the side, is drawn out to a wonderful length, 

 and possesses two annular projections towards the base. Both these crabs are natives of Japan. 



In the family of crabs which is known by the name of Parthenopidse, we have a very differ- 

 ent form, the carapace being more or less triangular, the beak or snout small and not notched, 

 and the eyes very retractile. The claw-legs are generally large in proportion to the other 

 limbs, which are often very short. 



