DEPREDATIONS BY CRABS. 



147 



Lastly, certain crabs are to be feared — chiefly the Callinectes hastatus, 

 our bine, or soft-shelled crab, and the Cancer irroratus. Probably the 



BLUB, OK SOFT-SHELLED CKAB — CALLINECTES HASTATUS. 



latter is the more hurtful of the two. I have heard more complaint on 

 this score at the western end of Great South Bay, Long Island, than any- 

 where else. They eat the small oysters, up to the size of a quarter dollar, 

 chewing them all to bits : these are on the artificial beds, for they do 



COMMON SHORE CKAB— CANCER IRRORATUS. 



