296 



THE AMERICAN NATURALIST 



[Vol. XLI1 



Cape Hatteras, such as the common lobster, but there 

 seems to be no reason why any species from the Carolina 

 coasts or the Florida Keys should not flourish in Bermuda 

 if once introduced there in considerable numbers and 

 protected from their enemies at first. 



Probably hundreds of species have been accidentally 

 carried there, singly or in small numbers, in past times, 

 which have failed to establish themselves, either because 

 they became too far separated to find their mates at the 

 breeding season, or because they were too soon eaten up 

 by voracious fishes. Yet a single female crab, carrying 

 fertilized eggs, might succeed in introducing the species, 

 for their eggs often amount to 5,000, or even 10,000 at 

 one time. Aside from edible species, the introduction of 

 the smaller kinds would afford a large additional supply 

 of food for useful fish, and thus benefit the fisheries. 



