Crustacea. 2325 



Occurrence of a New British Crab (Dromia vulgaris) on the Coast of Sussex. — As 

 many as nine full-sized specimens of this remarkable crab have been dredged by fisher- 

 men on the coast of Sussex : the first of these was noticed by Mr. George Ingall, 

 through whose kindness I had the opportunity of showing it to Mr. Bell, who imme- 

 diately recognised it as a Dromia. Mr. White, of the British Museum, informs me 

 that it is the Dromia vulgaris of Milne-Edwards (Crust, ii. 173, pi. 21, fig. 5). It is 

 described in Cuvier's * Regne Animal' (iv. 69) as the type of Dromia, and Rumph 

 (Mus. xi. 1) and Herbst (xviii. 103) are referred to. It is the Cancer dormia of Linneus ; 

 the name of dormia perhaps referring to its extremely sedentary and lethargic habits : 

 in this respect it is so remarkable that the carapace is often completely covered with 

 sponges and other marine productions that have attached themselves, and these some- 

 times inclose the two smaller pairs of legs which are placed on the back of the cara- 

 pace. This crab is said to be found in the seas of all temperate and tropical regions : 



Dromia vulgaris, of the natural size. 



the carapace is clothed with a uniform brown velvet down, and the legs, especially the 

 larger or anterior pair, are covered with long hair, except the claws, which are per- 

 fectly smooth and polished, of a beautiful rose-colour, and strongly toothed. I much 

 regret that I have had no practice in describing Crustacea, and am therefore at present 

 unable to furnish its technical characters with any degree of precision ; but I have 

 made a rough drawing of a specimen of the average size, which will give a tolerably 

 correct idea of its general appearance. The first specimen was taken near Beachy 

 Head: others have been taken off Hastings ; and Mr. Bell informs me he has since 

 received others from near Worthing. — Edward Newman ; October 20, 1848. 



VI 3 B 



