THE EDIBLE GRAB. ,775 



This power of quickly burrowing deeply into the sand it possesses in common with all the other 

 marine animals of every class which inhabit the exposed beaches of loose sand, for upon this 

 habit their very existence depends during storms. By burying themselves deep they are beyond 

 the reach of breakers. 



"The Lady Crab is predaceous in its habits, feeding upon various smaller creatures, but, like 

 most of the Crabs, it is also fond of dead fishes or any other dead animals. In some localities 

 they are so abunda.nt that a dead fish or shark will in a short time be completely covered with 

 them ; but if a person should approach they will all suddenly slip off backwards and quickly 

 disappear in every direction beneath the sand. After a short time, if everything be quiet, 

 immense numbers of eyes and antennae will be gradually and cautiously protruded from beneath 

 the sand, and after their owners have satisfied themselves that all is well the army of Ctabs will 

 soon appear above the sand again and continue their operations." ' 



This species is used as bait on many parts of the coast, especially about Vineyard Sound 

 and Buzzard's Bay. It is also an important article of food at New Orleans, Louisiana, and is 

 occasionally taken to the New York markets. 



222. THE COMMON EDIBLE OR BLUE CRAB— CALLINECTES HASTATUS, Ordway. 



Distribution. — The common edible Crab of the eastern coast of the United States, generally 

 termed "Blue Crab" at the North and "Sea Crab" at the South, ranges from Cape Cod to Florida, 

 and also occurs in the Gulf of Mexico, and is occasionally taken in Massachusetts Bay. Next to 

 the Lobster, it is the most important crustacean of our waters in a commercial point of view. 

 There are several species of the genus GalUnectes living upon the coast of the Southern States. 

 ValUnectes hastatus, the genuine Blue Crab, is positively known to occur as far south as Louis- 

 iana, and is probably the only species brought to the New York markets. GalUnectes ornatus 

 inhabits Charleston. Harbor, South Carolina, and extends southward from there, but to what 

 extent has not been determined. Two other species, Callinectes larvatus and 0. tumidus, have 

 been recorded from Southern Florida and the West Indies. Which of these four species occurs 

 in the greatest abundance in the Gulf of Mexico, and is there most commonly taken for food, we 

 are unable to state, as no careful examination of market supplies from that region has ever been 

 made. 



External oharactbbs.— The shell of the Blue Crab is about twice as broad as long, 

 including the stout, sharp spines which project from each side. Between the spine of each side 

 and the eye of that side the margin is armed with about eight short and acute spines, which are 

 largest at the side and gradually decrease in size toward the eye. Between the eyes, which a^e 

 placed in slight recesses, the margin forms four broad, unequal-sided teeth, with a median spine 

 underneath. The front limbs, including the claws, are similar in shape but somewhat unequal in 

 size; they have several strong sharp spines above. The three succeeding pairs of limbs are 

 slender, similar to one another, and terminate in sharp points. The posterior pair, however, end 

 in an expanded oval joint, especially adapted for swimming. The entire body of this species is 

 considerably compressed, the carapax being only moderately convex above; the surface, excepting 

 near the posterior margin, is covered with minute granulations, which are more numerous over 

 'some portions than over others. The entire margin of the carapax and abdomen is bordered with 

 fine hairs, and most of the joints of the limbs are ornamented in the same way. 



The abdomen of the female is very broad, and when not charged with eggs fills in the entire 



1 Veeeill : Vineyard Sound Report, p. 338, 1871-'72. 



