09 
conveyed to the store pots ; which are much larger than the 
others, and are suspended near the surface by a small barrel 
fastened above, the more effectually to secure them from the 
voracity of ravenous fishes that prowl below. In this manner 
the fish are preserved until the arrival of the W ell boat or 
Lobster smack, which comes periodically to convey them to 
the market. When first taken it is usual to drive a wooden 
Peg into the joint of the prehensile portion of the claw, to 
prevent their injuring each other; anil no food is afforded, as 
they will endure long abstinence without suffering, although 
they can live but a very short time without a renewal of 
Water. In the small collection of a few dozens kept together 
jn the store pots, this source of injury is, indeed, of small 
hnportance ; hut in the well of the Lobster smack it is essen- 
tial; and I have been informed that when the vessel has been 
Stained in harbour, it has been found necessary to go to the 
b pen sea and back, to renew the water in the hold, that the 
Ca rgo might be kept alive. 
The master of a Lobster smack has a method of dealing 
With the fishermen, that must not a little redound to his own 
advantage. If the Lobster exceeds the length of 1 1 inches 
from snout to tail it is considered a full size fish, or tale, of 
Which the price is now 10 shillings the dozen ; but all that fall 
s Wt of this, are regarded as only amounting to halt of this price. 
A crab of the largest size can pass for no more than hall the 
Value of a full Lobster, but if less than 8 inches across the 
shell or carapace, they are halt of a lull or tale crab ; and 
Done are admitted that measure less than 4 inches. 
Crab fishing is followed chiefly by the poorer fishermen, or 
y those whose activity has given way to the infirmities ot age. 
It was formerly more profitable than now, and seems to be 
Svadually decreasing. The Lobster smacks that pass along 
'■he Cornish coast, collecting the produce of the fishery ot the 
Uvo or three preceeding weeks are mostly from Southampton ; 
hut the destination of the cargo seems to be the portol London. 
VENUS CANCER: the carapace large, oval, somewhat 
elevated in the middle ; points ot the nippers not spoon 
shaped. Legs short, compressed, those which are prehen- 
sile furnished above with a crest formed of a row of spines 
or tubercles. Terminal portion o! the walking legs short 
a °d pointed. 
Section with the carapace covered with granulations, but 
without spines. 
No British example of this genus has hitherto been known ; 
^ut a. specimen has come to my hands, that belongs to tuis 
section, though I have not been able to refer it to any known 
species. 
K 
