778 :n"atueal histohy of aquatic animals. 



the larger cities. Outside of New Orleans, in fact, there is no regular trade in Blue Crabs. In 

 the early spring they are trolled from deep water to within reach of a dip-net, by means of a piece 

 of meat attached to a long string. Later in the season, when, the water has become warmer, they 

 may be dipped up with a dip-net all along the shore. About Pensacola, the catching of Crabs is 

 classed among the sports. During warm summer evenings, parties of men, women, and children 

 set out for secluded portions of the bay shore, where they pursue the Crabs, with torches and jigs 

 or dip-nets, until they are tired. A midnight supper, made up mainly of the Crabs and flsh they 

 have taken, follows, and the enjoyment concludes with a moonlight sail homeward." 



The Spider Ceabs — Libinia emakginata, Leach ; LrsmiA dxtbia, Edwards. 



The Spider Crabs are inhabitants of shallow water along the Atlantic coast, from Western 

 Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. The two species resemble one another very closely, but the 

 emarginata is more thickly covered with spines than the dubia, which is also further distinguished 

 . by being narrower across the front, and by having a longer rostrum. As a rule, the latter species 

 is found more commonly than the former in the very shallow water near shore, and its range is 

 more restricted toward the north, not passing beyond Cape Cod. 



Professor Verrill says of their habits, that " they are very common on muddy shores and flats. 

 They hide beneath the surface of the mud and decaying weeds, or among the eel-grass, and are 

 very sluggish in their motions. The whole surface of the body is covered with hairs, which 

 entangle particles of mud and dirt of various kinds; and sometimes hydroids, algse, and even 

 barnacles grow upon their shells, contributing to their more ready concealment. The males are 

 much larger than the females, and have long and stout claws. They often spread a foot or more 

 across the extended legs. The females have much smaller and shorter legs and comparatively 

 weak claws.'" 



The Spider Crabs are used as bait along the Middle Atlantic States, and probably elsewhere, 

 within their range. 



The Kelp Crab — Epialttjs prgductus, Eandall. 



The Kelp Crab of the Pacific coast is " easily recognized by its smooth quadrate carapax, with 

 two distinct teeth on either side. It is the most common maioid Crab on the coast of California 

 and Oregon, and is usually found among seaweeds on rocks, just below low-water mark. Its color 

 is olivaceous when alive." ^ 



This Crab is occasionallly taken for food by the natives along the coast, but apparently has not 

 yet found its way into the San Francisco markets. It has been especially recorded from Puget 

 Sound, the mouth of the Columbia River, the Farallone Islands, Tomales Bay, entrance to San 

 Francisco Bay, and Monterey. 



The Eed Rook Crab — Echtdnooeros setimanxts, Stimpson. 



This is quite a large and very ornamental red Crab, which is not eaten, but is occasionally 

 sold in the, San Francisco markets as a curiosity. It is procured in moderately deep water about 

 the Farallone Islands, which lie a short distance off the coast at San Francisco, California. The 

 body of adult specimens measures about ten inches both in length and breadth, and the weight 

 of such specimens is between six and seven pounds. The carapax is convex and exceedingly 

 uneven, being covered with large tubercles and granules. The front and lateral margins on each 

 side bear about eight principal teeth, and the beak is fourlobed. The right claw is much larger 

 than the left, and both are covered with tufts of hair, and armed with teeth and tubercles. The 



'Vineyard Sound Report, p. 368, 1871-'72. 



'Stimpson: Joum. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vi, p. 457, 1857. 



