69 



conveyed to the store pots ; which are much larger than the 

 others, and are suspended near the surface by a small barrel 

 fastened above, the more effectually to secure them from the 

 voracity of ravenous fishes that prowl below. In this manner 

 the fish are preserved until the arrival of the Well boat or 

 Lobster smack, which comes periodically to convey them to 

 the market. When first taken it is usual to drive a wooden 

 peg into the joint of the prehensile portion of the claw, to 

 prevent their injuring each other; and no food is afforded, as 

 they will endure long abstinence without suffering, although 

 they can live but a very short time without a renewal of 

 water. In the small collection of a few dozens kept together 

 in the store pots, this source of injury is, indeed, of small 

 importance ; but in the well of the Lobster smack it is essen- 

 tial ; and I have been informed that when the vessel has been 

 detained in harbour, it has been found necessary to go to the 

 open sea and back, to renew the water in the hold, that the 

 car°;o might be kept alive. 



The master of a Lobster smack has a method of dealing 

 with the fishermen, that must not a little redound to his own 

 advantage. If the Lobster exceeds the length of 11 inches 

 from snout to tail it is considered a full size fish, or tale, of 

 which the price is now 10 shillings the dozen ; but all that fall 

 short of this, are regarded as only amounting to half of this price. 

 A crab of the largest size can pass for no more than halt the 

 value of a full Lobster, but if less than 8 inches across the 

 shell or carapace, they are half of a full or tale crab ; and 

 none are admitted that measure less than 4 inches. 



Crab fishing is followed chiefly by the poorer fishermen, or 

 by those whose activity has given way to the infirmities of age. 



It was formerly more profitable than now, and seems to be 

 gradually decreasing. The Lobster smacks that pass along 

 the Cornish coast, collecting the produce of the fishery of the 

 two or three preceeding weeks are mostly from Southampton ; 

 but the destination of the cargo seems to be the port of London. 



GENUS CANCER : the carapace large, oval, somewhat 

 elevated in the middle ; poiuts of the nippers not spoon 

 shaped. Legs short, compressed, those which are prehen- 

 sile furnished above with a crest formed of a row of spines 

 or tubercles. Terminal portion ol the walking legs short 

 and pointed. 

 Section with the carapace covered with granulations, but 

 without spines. 

 No British example of this genus has hitherto been known ; 

 but a specimen has conn; to my hands, that belongs to tins 

 section, though I have not been able to refer it to any kno,vn 

 species. 



K 



