34 
HISTORY OF BRITISH CRUSTACEA. 
This is an extensive family, though there are but few 
species found in this country. One of these however is 
called the Crab par excellence , and is highly esteemed as 
food. The crust of most of these Canceridce is very strong 
and hard. 
Gen. 8. XANTHO, Leach. 
Carapace wide, back somewhat flattened, the hind legs 
more or less compressed. Latero-anterior margins of cara- 
pa^ about the same length as the posterior part, with three 
or four strong teeth ; abdomen with seven joints in the fe- 
male, and only five in the male. Movable stem of outer 
antennae springing from the inner angle of orbit, inner an- 
tennae transversely folded. 
Xantho Florida, Mont. sp. Montagu’s Oral. (Plate 
II. fig. 3.)- — Fingers black, rounded, and without the slightest 
trace of grooves. Pore legs swollen and large, the following 
short, furnished with hairs on the upper margin of the third 
joint. Carapace reddish-brown, the claws black. 
Pound abundantly on the coasts of Cornwall, and less 
frequently on those of Devonshire and Dorsetshire; and 
also on several parts of the Irish coast. Mr. Gosse finds 
that with its flat back, when kept in an Aquarium, it causes 
great disorder, by turning over the stones, even when of con- 
siderable size. 
