68 



GENUS PLATYCARCINUS: carapace approaching to a 



transverse oval, without furrows. 

 EATABLE CRAB. P. Pagurus. M. Edwards' Crust., 



vol. 1, p. 413. Cancer P. Leach's Malac, pi. Pennant, 



pi. 3, fig. 7. 



This is the species so highly esteemed for the table, and 

 for which a regular fishery is carried on. The male, called 

 the Stool Crab, is much the largest, not uncommonly weighing 

 a dozen pounds, whilst the female, termed the Bon Crab, is 

 rarely of half that size. Although this Crab is somewhat 

 effected by cold weather, so that it is most abundantly caught 

 in summer, its activity is not diminished by it, and some 

 may be obtained at all seasons. The fishery therefore, is 

 more influenced by the danger to which the pots set to take 

 them are exposed in stormy weather, than by the absolute 

 scarcity of the crabs. Their haunts are along the edges of 

 rocks, in situations varying from low water mark to about 20 

 fathoms ; and the selection is perhaps as much influenced by 

 the facility of hiding or burrowing, as by the supply of food. 

 The Bon Crab begins to breed when about 3 inches across the 

 carapace ; and the spawn after remaining loncj attached to the 

 parent, is buried beneath some shelter, at all seasons of the 

 year; but as when engaged in this duty the female feeds but 

 little and commonly hides herself, few of them are taken in 

 the pots. Fishermen mention such instances as somewhat re- 

 markable, though most other crustaceans are familiarly taken 

 with the pea attached. 



The eggs are commonly shed while the parent is hid in the 

 sand; aqd the young, of very small size, may'be found be- 

 neath stones at low water mark ; but there are some differ- 

 ences in this as in some other of the habits of the different 

 sexes ; for among the multitudes of young found as described, 

 I have never been able to discover a female. 



The trap made use of in taking Crabs and Lobsters is 

 formed of wicker work, in the form of the ordinary dome- 

 shaped mouse-trap, with the difference that the only entrance 

 is at the lop, and that the bottom is immoveably joined to the 

 structure. It is about 2| feet high, and the bait is fastened 

 within, between the neck of the entrance and the sides, by 

 wooden skewers, so as to be seen at the greatest distance. 

 The skate and other fishes not generally sold in the market, are 

 used for bait, and it is found that the freshest only will attract 

 the Crab, whilst for the Lobster it is best when hung for 

 several days to become tainted. The pot is weighed down 

 by a couple of ttones fastened within, and the place is marked 

 by a line, with single corks along its course, and a buoy at the 

 end. The pots are hauled or examined every morning, at 

 which time thev are rebaited, and the Crabs and Lobsters 



