In both cases the tables bear out the results pointed out above 
with reference to the relative abundance of the two species. 
Crabs. — The records for the two years show that the catches 
become gradually reduced during the advance of the season, during 
the time, that is to say, that the creels are being moved more and 
more closely in -shore. 
On the whole the number caught of each sex is very nearly 
equal during these months — the males, as a rule, however, being 
slightly less numerous than the females. This statement agrees 
with that made by Williamson in summing up the statistics in his 
recent paper on “ Contributions to the Life-History of the Edible 
Crab.” ( Fifteenth Ann. Rep. o/ Scot. Fish. Btl., 1900 1 . But that 
the proportion of the sexes varies at different seasons has been 
pointed out by Cunningham (Report of the Cornwall County 
Council, 1897-8), and by myself in the report of 1898. 
It is interesting to note the number of berried-hen crabs caught 
and returned during these three months each year. 
Beadnell.. Sea Houses. 
1899 82 85 
1900 29 25 
These figures indicate that during this period one berried hen 
crab is caught for every 150 — 800 crabs not berried. 
In contrast to the crab fishing at the end of the year, the 
number of soft crabs caught is small. At the end of June, and 
during July, 1899, Mr. Fawcus’s table shows that a large increase 
in the number of soft crabs was taking place. We have already 
shown that the period necessary for hardening, at least in the case 
of the mature crab, is one of some 4 — 5 months, and these numbers 
therefore foreshadow the nature of the catches which will be made 
during and for some months after the casting season. I may be able 
to point out more definitely on another occasion the exact nature 
of the soft crabs at different seasons. Casting appears to begin 
in- shore during July and August with the smaller crabs, succeeded 
immediately by the mature females. The female casters, of course, 
are at once taken in charge by the males, whose casting is post- 
poned until the migration to deeper water takes place. It occurs, 
apparently, however, just before the time that the female comes 
into “berry.” The process of hardening in the males then is bound 
to be a protracted one, occurring as it does during the winter. 
As we have pointed out before, the very young crabs cast 
