214 CRUSTACEA OF THE CIIAXNEL ISLANDS. 



Hyas eoapetaeus, Leach. I insert this species on the authority of Mr. 

 Lukis, of (4uonisey (from An^•tec^s list), but I have never seen a Channel 

 Island si:)ecinien. 



Maia squinado, Latr. This is the Common Spider Crab of our markets. 

 Abundant, and often of large size (24 to 26 inches spread), on all our 

 shores. Local name (Jersey) "Pianne." 



Eurynome aspera, lAmch. A peculiar and exotic -lookinj? crab, a miniature 

 of the PdvUicnopc horvida. of southern seas, (iravel and imllipore bottom 

 off Corbiere Point, Jersey, St. ^fartin's Point, (luernsey, &c. Rarely 

 found between tide marks. 



Xantho florida, Leach. Not uncommon under stones in rocky places low 

 down in tide range. A curious idea prevails among some of the 

 Jersey fishermen in regard to these crabs. They stoutly maintain that 

 they are individuals of the ordinary edible crab that have grown extremely 

 old, and become wrinkled and fossilized. They term it " la vieille crabe " 

 and " la crabe drouine." 



Xantho rivulosa, lidiv. Fairly common from St. Peter-Port to St. Samp- 

 son's, Guernsey, where X.Jlorida is either rare or absent. Does not occur 

 in Jersey. 



Cancer pagrUPUS, Lin. The Edible Crab. The adult is far more plentiful 

 in Uuernsey, Sark, &c., than in Jersey, although the young (up to about 

 four inches across) abound there on the rocky parts of the coast. But 

 they migrate on attaining a larger size. Here again a curious belief pre- 

 vails among fishermen and other people, who persist in maintaining that 

 these abundant crabs are )iot the young of the big ones, but a distinct 

 species. When taxed to find one of the " small kind " with eggs, they 

 have once or twice triumphantly produced specimens attacked by the 

 baglike cirrii^ede SaccnJina^ which is frequent on Cancer pagurns on the 

 Jersey coast. Local names: (Guernsey) "Chancre"; (Jersey) " Poing- 

 clos" and " Guernsey Crab." 



Pilumnus hirtellUS, Leach. Common under stones in rocky places. 



Piremela dentieulata, Leach. Taken at the foot of rocks in gravelly 

 places low down in tide range. 



Careinus msenas, P<"^^. Common Shore Crab. Abundant on all our coasts. 

 The young up to half an inch across are subject to much variation in 

 colouring, and cloi^ely mimic their surroundings. The adults are, in the 

 Channel Islands, of a brighter green than in most other localities. 



Portumnus VaPiegatUS, Leach. This is one of the swimming crabs. 

 Although fairly conmion on the English coast this species is rare in these 

 islands ; the only specimens I have taken were cast ashore after a gale in 

 St. Ouen's Bay, Jersey. 



PoPtunus pubeP, Leach. This is the " Velvet Crab " and " Lady Crab " of 

 the fish vendors. Abundant on all our rocky shores. Local name 

 (Guernsey and Jersey) " Crabe gregeaise." 



POPtunus eOPPUgatuS, Pen. Found in deeper water than the last, and 

 often taken in prawn pots. 



PoPtunus aPCUatuS, Leach. Tolerably common on gravelly ground, and 

 at the sides of stones low down in tide range. 



POPtunus depuPatOP, Pen. Not common. Dredged off Herm, and 

 Eocquaine Bay, Guernsey. I have not found it in Jersey. 



POPtunus maPmOPeus, Leach. Some authorities consider this a variety of 

 the one which follows, but I believe it is distinct. It lives on open shell 

 gravel ground, from low tide limit to deep water. It is not common, 

 but I have freqiiently taken it in St. Clement's Bay, Jersey, and at Ver- 

 merette, in Herm. 



POPtunus holsatUS, Fabr. Sandy ground in deepish water ; not common 

 in our islands. 



