‘28 Notes on the Irish Crustacea. 
eating. The former known as Le Crabe enragé—the Portunus 
puber, Cancer velutunus of Pennant, as Crabe a laine of the 
French. 
The genus Portumnus, of which there is but the one species, 
variegatus, | have not yet met on the southern or western 
coasts. It is reported as a most common species along the sandy — 
shores of Great Britain. William Thompson remarks how 
extremely local it is, and that he had not met it on the Irish 
Coast, though the localities dredged over were sandy, and off 
extensive beaches of the same nature. Dr. Kinahan, in his list 
of the Dublin Crustacea, mentions that it has been thrown ashore 
on Merrion Strand, after easterly gales. 
The Portunide, among which are enumerated the several 
species of the genus Portwnus, more than ordinary care is 
necessary in the decision of species, and their affinities to each 
other. Indeed the views entertained by eminent carcinologists 
would render it necessary to have the means of examination of 
an extensive series of the species. 
Portunus corrugatus described in Bell is by no means of 
common occurrence. I have not seen in collections specimens so 
decidedly distinctive as those I have obtained in deep water in 
Dingle Bay. The carapace is broader than the figure given in 
Bell, and the elevated ridges, and adpressed hairs fringing each 
line, are more decided. The colour is a rich reddish brown, the 
fore-legs marked with brighter red, and with minute crenulated 
scales fringed with hairs. In the recent, or living state, it is the 
most beautiful of the series. 
The only specimens that William Thompson had seen were 
those in the Ordnance collection from Larne and Carrickfergus. 
In the collection of J. V. Thompson, the P. Corrugatus, as obtained 
in the Harbour of Cove, is the wrinkled variety of P. Depurator, 
and these mistakes have been continued in the naming in some 
collections. Kinahan states as having obtained P. Corrugatus, in 
Bangor and Ballyholme Bays; and Mr. Hyndman, in twenty 
tathoms in Belfast Bay. Of the other species of Portuni, viz.— 
Arcuatus, depurator, marmoreus, holsatus, and pusillus, all have 
been obtained on the south-west coast. .P. Holsatus, obtained in 
Dingle Bay, appears the more rare. A single specimen only was 
met by Dr. Kinahan off Whitehead, given in his list of the 
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