67 
embedded in tlie soil ; for the Corwich Crab has been observ- 
ed, when caught at the time of its first activity in April, to 
have the inequalities of its carapace covered with the mud of 
the bottom. It is perhaps at this period of repose that the 
crops of sea weeds and corallines (Sertulariae) fix themselves 
as they are often seen beautifully adorning them ; shells of 
different species, but especially Oysters and Muscles, are also 
found adhering, and. on the smaller kinds, as of the Genera 
Inachus and Pisa, spunge will grow so luxuriantly as to con- 
ceal the whole carapace, with tufts on the legs to the extre- 
mities. 
In the spring the Spider Crabs appear in water of the depth 
of a few fathoms; but as the weather grows warmer they 
approach the shore, and in summer climb the rocks so as 
sometimes to be left by the receding tide. At the season of 
its greatest activity the Corwich Crab becomes so abundant 
that, as no one thinks of purchasing them, they are regarded 
as a great annoyance by the fishermen ; for it is found that 
when they occupy his crab pot no Lobster will enter it. I 
have been informed of nearly a cart load having been taken 
at one haul of a ground sean, and singularly enough, the whole 
were found lo be females. It is indeed a general observation 
that the females exceed the males in the proportion of perhaps 
10 to I, and during the summer they are all well loaded with 
spawn ; which having been carried beneath the flap, as in 
°ther Crabs, for several months, for the sake of free exposure 
to the water and light, are dropped in some concealed places, 
where they elude observation ; for I have not succeed in find- 
ln g one of very small size. 
The family of Cyclometops is divided into two sub-families, 
UANCERIANS ; posterior legs as in the former family, 
ending in a pointed articulation, and thus unfit for swim- 
ming. 
FORTUNIANS ; posterior legs more enlarged than the pre- 
ceding, ending in a broad plate ciliated at the edges, and 
fitted for swimmiug. 
CANCERIANS, or CRABS. 
GENUS ZANTIIO: carapace large, horizontal ; a narrow 
fissure dividing it into two portions, the separating line fur- 
rowed ; cavities of the antennae transverse, separated by a 
slender partition ; antennae short. 
F URROWED CRAB. Z. Floridus. M. Edwards’ Crust., 
' ol. 1, p . 394. Leach’s Malac. pi. 11. Common. 
UESS FURROWED CRAB. Z. Itivulosus. M. Edwards’ 
Crust., vol. 1, p. 394. Equally common with the last, and 
la similar situations, under stoues about low water mark. 
