ORTMANN: THE CRAWFISHES OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA 493 
preferred by teachers generally, very likely in consequence of its use in one of the 
standard works on these creatures (Huxley, ‘“‘The Crayfish”). The third word, 
“crawfish,” is the proper American name. I found it commonly in use in the rural 
communities where ‘“‘crayfish”’ and “crab” were often entirely unknown. This is 
chiefly the case in the southwestern section of the state and in West Virginia. In one 
or two cases in Fayette and Somerset Counties I heard a distinction made between 
“erab’’ and “crawfish.” The former name was used for the river and brook 
forms, C. obscwrus and C. barton, the other for the chimney-builders. All three 
words go back to the same root, Old German krebis, from which is derived on the 
one hand the modern German Krebs, and the English crab; on the other hand the 
French éerevisse, the English crayfish, and the American crawfish. The latter form, 
being typically American, and being exclusively known to the natives of a large 
part of the country (the farmers), I have decided to use it in preference to the other 
two forms. 
In literature “crawfish” was used by Say (1817), Harlan (1835), Hagen (1870), 
Abbott (1873), Hay (1896). “Crayfish” was used by Abbott (1884 and 1885), 
Faxon (1885, 1890, 1898), Hay (1898, 1899), Andrews (1895, 1904), Shufeldt (1896), 
Osburn and Williamson (1898), Harris (1900), Williamson (1901, 1905). Thus 
“crawfish ” has the priority. 
Other names have been given incidentally. Rafinesque (1817) calls C. limosus 
“mud lobster,’ (I heard this name once in Delaware County). Say (1817) and 
Harlan (1885) call C. bartoni “freshwater lobster,” and Williamson (1899) uses the 
abbreviation ‘“‘cray.” 
2. The use of crawfishes as food and bait. 
Although well known, crawfishes are not much used as food by the population 
of Pennsylvania; but this is generally the case in the United States. In some of 
the larger cities of the United States they are found more or less regularly on the 
market (see Ortmann, 1900, p. 1260), C. limosws being one of the species which is 
principally used for food. I have, however, never heard that this is the case in our 
own state, but it may be found in the markets of Philadelphia.” 
Nevertheless crawfishes are eaten in this state, but not regularly. I have heard 
sometimes from boys that they had tried them, but only in ‘“‘sport,” and only excep- 
tionally have I met persons who had eaten them repeatedly and were fond of them. 
Generally, this source of food is unknown to the masses in this state. Yet a dish of 
crawfishes is not to be despised. It is true, our species never attain the size of the 
S?Rafinesque (1817, p. 42) says of C. limosus at Philadelphia, tbat it is ‘‘ good to eat.’? 
