456 THE NORTHERN STONE-CRAB. 



speak more accurately, between the short-tailed and long-tailed Crustacea. The two large 

 divisions of the body bear scarcely any ordinary proportion to each other, the abdomen being 

 exceedingly small, and the " cephalo-thorax " enormously large. Some of these creatures 

 extend the abdomen from the body like the lobsters, while others bend it under them like the 

 crabs. In some species, of which the common hermit-crab is a familiar example, the last pair 

 of legs are totally useless for walking, and are modified into a pair of appendages, by means 

 of which the animal is enabled to grasp with a hold so firm, that it may often be torn asunder 

 rather than be forced to loosen its gripe. 



The next descriptions refer to a curious species belonging to the typical genus of the first 

 family. In all these crustaceans the body is rather globular, and the carapace is bent down- 

 wards in front. The eyes are short. One of these crustaceans, called the Hairy Crab, is 

 found in the hotter seas, and has been captured off the Cape of Good Hope. The two hinder 

 pairs of legs are very small in proportion to those limbs which are evidently intended for 

 progression. They are furnished at their tips with a hooked claw. These modified and 

 apparently stunted limbs are, however, extremely useful, their office being ascertained by 

 studying the economy of the animal. With the claws at the end of these limbs the crab 

 seizes pieces of sponge, shells, and other marine substances, so as to conceal its form under 

 their shelter, thereby exhibiting a curious analogy to the well-known habits of the tortoise 

 beetle while in its larval state. Some crabs are admirable examples of this peculiarity, as, 

 for instance, the Dromia hilar, which has been chosen for an illustration. It is drawn as 

 being nearly hidden under the mass of sponges under which it lies concealed, the sponge 

 being nearly as large as a man's list, while the crab is about the size of half an ordinary 

 walnut. 



One species of this genus, called, from the shape and mouldings of the carapace, the 

 Death's-head Crab, is found among the Channel Islands of Europe. The scientific name of 

 this crab is Dromia vulgaris. Its color is deep brown, changing to pink upon the claws, the 

 carapace is strongly knobbed above, and the edge is notched so as to form four broad teeth. 

 Some species of this genus are thought to be poisonous, but without any apparent reason. 

 The hairy covering is not so extensive in other species, for the carapace of the common 

 Death's-head Crab is quite smooth and polished, the hairs being restricted to the limbs, where 

 they afford an excellent basis for sponges, corallines, and zoophytes. 



The Bearded Crab is an example of another family, in which the carapace is formed 

 into a kind of beak, and is almost always covered with sharp spines. The fifth pair of legs 

 are comparatively short, and are not employed in walking. In the Bearded Crab the eyes are 

 very large and round, and the carapace is covered with short but sharp spines. The antenna? 

 are long and the claws powerful, and are well suited for detecting and securing prey. The 

 Bearded Crab is found in the Mediterranean. 



A strange and weird-like creature, which is called by the appropriate name of the Porcu- 

 pine-crab, is a native of Japan. In this species the characteristics of the family seem to be 

 carried to the very utmost. The last pair of legs are extremely small ; so diminutive, in fact, 

 that they are folded under the body and not visible when the creature is viewed from its upper 

 surface. The carapace is triangular and thickly covered with spines; and even the limbs 

 bristle with thorny points set as closely as the horny bayonets of the hedgehog. It appears 

 to be rather didl and sluggish in its movements, crawling along the bed of the sea with slow, 

 monotonous action. 



One species of this genus, the Northern Stone-crab {IMJiodes maia), is found off the 

 European coasts, and is plentiful on many of the Scottish shores. It is covered with short, 

 thick spines which extend over its legs and claws, and in its general shape bears some resem- 

 blance to the spider-crabs already described. In spite, however, of its thorn-studded surface, 

 it is much eaten by tishes, and is not unfrequently found entire in the stomachs of the fish that 

 are taken oil' European coasts. 



The Northern Stone-crab may be known by its very long beak, furnished at the end with 

 two short and rather diverging teeth, and by its bright scarlet color when it is first taken from 



