XIV. Some Obfervations on the Cancer Major, 
by Mr, Peter Collinfon, F. R. S. 
Newport in the IJle of Wight, July i. 1745. 
Read Feb. 20. IT ^ riding about this pleafant Ifland, to fee 
? 745-0. what was curious, or may deferve aTra- 
veller's Notice, I vifited a little Parifh call'd Crab -Nigh- 
tony which probably has its additional Name from the 
Plenty of Crabs found on this Coaft. What Intelligence 
X have gain'd from the Fifhermen, and my own Expe- 
rience on the Nature and Faculties of this Animal, I 
(hall carefully relate. 
The Cancer Major , or largeft Species of Crab, have 
their chief A*bode from twenty to forty Fathom Wa- 
ter ; they herd together in diftind Tribes, and have 
their feparate Haunts for Feeding and Breeding, and 
will not affociate with their Neighbours. This has 
been carefully tried, by taking a Crab, and marking 
its Shell, and carrying it two or three Miles Diftance* 
and leaving it amongtl the fame Species This 
Crab has found its Way back to its old Home, and 
has been caught by the fame Fifhermen that carried it. 
The fmalleft Crab that comes to Hand is about the 
Size of a Cheftnut ; the full-grown feven Pounds 
Weight, but there has been one caught that weigh'd 
twelve Pounds. The Bait is Flefh, or Pieces of Skait, 
or fmall Shark, of which he cats but little. The 
Fifhermen all agree, the Crab will live confined in 
the Pot or Basket fome Months, without any Food 
hut what is colleded from the Sea-water, and not 
dcctcafc in Weight. The Difference of Sex is very 
confpicuous, 
