CRABS 275 
GENus Callinectes 
C. sapidus (Mary J. Rathbun), C. hastatus (Stimpson), the blue crab. 
This is the common edible crab of the Atlantic coast. It is known 
at the North as the “ blue crab,” and at the South as the “ sea-crab.” Itis 
found from Cape Cod to Florida, and after the lobster is the crustacean 
which has the greatest commercial value, being taken in immense quan- 
Callinectes sapidus, the blue crab. 
tities for the markets, not only when the shell is hard, but immediately 
after moulting, before the new shell has hardened, when it is known as 
the “soft-shelled crab.” It inhabits muddy shores, and is common in 
bays and at the mouths of estuaries. The carapace is about twice as 
broad as it is long, and has a long, sharp spine on each side which pro- 
jects outward. This is a distinguishing feature. There are eight short 
spines on each side between the long spines and the eyes; then come 
recesses for the eyes, and between the eyes are four unequal teeth and a 
small spine underneath. The chele are large and somewhat unequal in 
size; then come three pairs of simple feet and a fifth pair, which are flat- 
tened, forming swimming-organs. The margins of the carapace and 
abdomen are fringed with fine hairs, as are also most of the joints of the 
limbs. The upper surface of the body and claws is dark green in color, 
the lower surface is dingy white, the feet blue, and the tips of the spines 
reddish. The body is compressed, the carapace being moderately con- 
vex above, and is covered with minute granulations, which are more nu- 
merous over some portions than over others. The abdomen of the femaleis 
very broad and fills the entire space between the bases of the posterior 
pair of feet. During the spawning season it is so charged with eggs 
that often it projects out almost at right angles with the carapace. The 
