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BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
I.— THE SOFT-CRAB FISHERY AND TRADE. 
A. — The Fishery. 
i. On the natural history of the crab . — The species which is the object of the fishery 
at Crisfield is the blue or edible crab ( Callinectes hastatus Ordway), (see plate xxxvi) 
which occurs on the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Mexico, and is abundant 
thoughout Chesapeake Bay, ascending all the tributary streams to the limit of salt 
water. 
Although the abundance of the crab and its extended distribution make it readily 
accessible to the biologist, and notwithstanding the fact that its commercial impor- 
tance and morphological characters would seem to bespeak for it the close attention of 
the student, its life history has been only partially investigated, and scarcely anything 
has been published regarding its spawning habits and the conditions of its existence 
during the winter months. 
Beyond certain somewhat narrow limits, the crab is very susceptible to extremes 
of temperature ; and not being possessed of the ability or the propensity to make 
extensive migrations in order to overcome the untoward influences of heat and cold, 
it is obliged to accomi)lish the same ends by retiring in winter to the deeiier waters 
near at hand, where, on the bottom or half buried in the mud, it is surmised that it 
enters into a condition of lowered vitality, returning to the shoaler water with the 
approach of spring. ' 
Between the mouths of May and October, inclusive, the water in the vicinity of 
Crisfield is of a sufficiently high temperature to permit the crabs to leave the deeper 
retreats frequented at other times, and to remain in the more shallow water, where 
alone it isposffible for the fishery to be prosecuted. 
At certain periods, varying in frequency with the rapidity of growth, the crab 
sheds its shell, becoming a soft-shell or soft crab. Young crabs moult often, but it is 
thought that adults throw oft their coverings only once or twice a year, usually imme- 
diately after the spawning season. A crab approaching the shedding jirocess is va- 
riously known among the fishermen as a “peeler,” “ shedder,” “buster,” “comer,” 
“ long-comer,” or “ short-comer.” A “ peeler,” “ shedder,” or “ buster ” is one whose 
shell has begun to crack, while a “comer,” “long-comer” or “ short-comer” is prepar- 
ing to moult, and the shell is loosening, but has not yet split. This distinction is not 
everywhere observed, as the use of the vernacular names varies with the locality. In 
the Chesapeake region, “peeler,” “shedder,” and “buster” are the names most com- 
monly met with, although the others are also heard. 
It is a matter of considerable importance in connection with the fishery to be able 
to determine whether a crab has or has not recently completed the shedding process. 
Unless the crustacean is taken in hand immediately after moulting, it quickly be- 
comes a hard-shell or hard crab, passing through the stages known as “paper-shell” 
and “ buckler,” and assuch not possessing the market value of a soft crab, or one that 
