REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR AND STATE GEOLOGIST 1901 1'133 



region, they would have been noticed. On Long Island the same 

 conditions were found, hardly any of the fishermen ever having 

 seen a crab in berry anywhere along shore. 



The investigations of the writer, finally, failed to show any 

 in the shallow waters of the bays and rivers. It thus seems cer- 

 tain that the crabs in berry do not come into the shallow water 

 at any season in the north. 



During the latter part of June, however, a few specimens 

 were taken while clinging to a pound net near Fire Island inlet 

 in about 20 feet of water. For the next three weeks none were 

 seen, while small males were quite common. Then the females 

 suddenly appeared in great numbers on the nets, but, as men- 

 tioned, none were seen on the shore. 



In the case of the crab fishery, then, the case, in the present 

 state of our knowledge, appears to be somewhat of a sectional 

 one. If the conditions in the south are as stated in Rathbun's 

 paper, it is possible that in the course of time the destruction 

 of large quantities of eggs may have its effect on the number of 

 adults. In the north, on the other hand, the habit of remaining 

 in deeper water while in berry, would appear to prevent any 

 diminution of the crabs from such a cause. Crabs are suffi- 

 ciently abundant in shallow water for all present necessities, and 

 there is no reason now for deep water fishing. Till that be- 

 comes necessary, they will be allowed to hatch their eggs in 

 perfect security from fishermen. 



The length of time the females carry their eggs is unknown. 

 According to Rathbun (already quoted), spawners were found 

 in Virginia from March to November, the season being at its 

 hight from May to August. At Charleston, two thirds of 

 the crate carried eggs in March, and Earll believes that these 

 would probably not hatch before April or May. The first ones 

 found by the writer on Long Island in 1901 were, as already men- 

 tioned, taken in the latter part of June, but they did not become 

 abundant before the middle of July. These hatched during the 

 latter part of July. It would appear, then, from Rathbun's ob- 

 servations that the eggs are laid early in the spring and are 



