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BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE
The dates of publication of Parts I-VI of A History of

British Crustacea.

Thomas BellThe complete work entitled "A History of the British Stalkeyed Crustacea" bears on its title page the date MDCCCLIII,
There is nothing toand the Preface is dated July, 1853.
show that the main part of the work, consisting of pp. 1-386,
with numerous un-numbered illustrations, appeared in eightThe Introduction
separate parts between 1844 and 1852,
with
and
the
Index
figs,
a-m)
(pp. Ixiii-lxv)
ix-lxii,(pp.
must presumably have been prepared for the whole work
published in 1853

The late C. D. Sherborn tried, with only partial success,to discover the dates of publication of the separate parts
a slip in his handwriting is inserted in the(March 190?);
copy of the entire work in the Crustacea Sectional Library,
British Museum (Nate Hist.) - see also Index Animalium 1801

Recently six separate-1850, pt. xxiXj p. cxxxiii, 1932
its
each
in
original paper cover, have been presented
parts,
to the Zoological Library of the British Museum by Mr.
L. Bairstow, ".A., of the Palaeontology Department (28.xi.58).
Each bears the date of publication on the cover and parts
I and II each indicate when the next part will appear;
as there xvas a slight delay in the publication of part III
no probable date of publication is indicated for the later.

parts.
The parts, each priced at 2/6, are dated as follows:Part I (pp. 1-48) 1st October, 1844.
Part II will be published on the 2nd December.
Part II (pp. 49-96) 2nd December, 1844.
Part III will be published on 1st of February.
Part III (pp. 97- -144) 1st May, 1844.
(printer's error corrected in ink to 1845).
Part IV (pp. 145-192) 1st January, 1846.
Part V (pp. 193-240) 1st January, 1847.
Part VI (pp. 241-~?3) 1st January, 1848.

Unfortunately the set is incomplete, lacking parts
Sherborn noted
VII (pp. 289-336) and VIII (pp. 337-386).
that these two parts are mentioned in the Proceedings of the
Entomological Society of London for the years 1851 and 1852
"Af" cer the president's address an outline
respectively"of the progress of scientific literature during the past
J

BRITISH

STALK-EYED CRUSTACEA,

SIDNEY

I.

Nev,

r

A

SMITH,Haven,Conn.

HISTORY
BRITISHSTALK-EYED CRUSTACEA

BY

THOMAS BELL, SEC. R.S., F.G.S., F.Z.S.,PRESIDENT OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY;

MEMHER OF THE PHILOMATHIC AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES OF PARIS;
OF THE IMPERIAL ACADEMY C^KSAR. LEOPOLD. NATURAE CURIOSORUM; OF THE
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA; OF THE NATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY OF NEW YORK; HONORARY MEMBER OF THE ROYALZOOLOSICAL SOCIETY OF DUBLIN, ETC., ETC.
PROFESSOR OF ZOOLOGY IN KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON.

ILLUSTRATED BY 174 WOOD-ENGRAVINGS.

LONDON:JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW.
M.DCCC.LIII.

LONDONWO

DFA L L:AND KINDER,AMHEL COUKT, SKINNBR STREKT.

TOPROFESSOR RICHARD OWEN,
THE FAITHFUL AND UNCHANGED FBIEND OF MANY YEARS,THIS LITTLE WORK IS INSCRIBEDTHE AUTHOR,
AS A

HUMBLE TOKEN OF HIS LASTINGRESPECT AND AFFECTION.

PREFACE.
I

HAVE

littletosay in this Preface, beyond the ex-pression of my sincere regret for the delay which has

occurred in the publication of the work.
arisen from causes whichtobe informed

of,

it

That delay has

would not interest the public

and which I have no wish

to

put

forward for the sake of deprecating the displeasure ordisappointment whichit

may have excited.

A much more agreeable task is that of acknowledging,which I do with feelings of sincere gratification and deep
thankfulness, the extensive and valuable assistance whichI

have received from so many of my fellow-labourers in

the field of Natural History.

Their names are mentioned

in connection with their contributions, in various parts of

the work;

and it would be invidious to particularise them

here, lest, through inadvertence, any should be omitted.

To one and all I beg to offer the tribute of my grateful
thanks.

SELBORNE, HANTS.
July, 1853.

INTRODUCTION.
THE structure of the Crustaceaisso little

known

to

the students of Natural History in this country, and there
are so few works whicheven the most superficial

giveinformation on the suhject, thatappears very desirable
and even necessary to introduce the study of the British
itspecies, by a brief account of the general organization and

Not only indeed isphysiology of this class of animals.
the subject itself one of great interest, but without somewould not be possible tocomprehend the descriptions of tho different genera andsuch introductory information

species ; for

it

will

class of animals,

structure,

or

is

it

be found that
there

in

scarcely any othera greater variety of form andmore striking apparent anomalies

in

the

modifications of the typical plan of organization, or in somecases greater difficulties in ascertaining the true homologiesof the different elements, than in the present.
It is not, indeed, a
in a clear

very easy matter even to express,and definite phrase, the characters which, whilst

belonging strictly toallthe forms of Crustacea, shall dis-tinctly exclude those of the approximate ones ; for thevariations

which occur in every organ and function,inthe different groups belonging to the crustacean type, areso considerable, as to render it almost impossible to include

them all within one common and well-defined expression.
The typical characters are so astonishingly modified, insome cases being totally changed, andlost,

in others absolutelythat the inexperienced student examining some aber-

X

INTRODUCTION.

rant formby theof the

test

known

typical characters,

might find it impossible to refer it to its true relations,
without an investigation of the intermediate affinities, andan acquaintance

with

the

laws which

their

regulatevariations.

The separation of the true EPIZOA from the Crustacea
has indeed, in some measure, facilitated the arrangementof the latter class, and enabled the zoologist to restrict
within intelligible limits the characters which belong to
the group.
I shall therefore,

the following sketch, consider thein

CRUSTACEA, the EPIZOA, and the CIRRIPEDES, as constituting
three

distincttypes of form ; with

this

the

restriction

may be defined as articulated animals, having
each segment of the external skeleton furnished with arCrustacea

ticulated appendages ;motive ;they arethe respiration

is

all

of

branchial,

very few exceptions, arpaatic

them free or

loco-

and they are, within their habits ; the circula-tion is carried on by means of a complete vascular system,

and is of a mixed character, the blood being received into
an aortic heart, both from the branchiae and from thesystem, and circulated in a mixed or partially decarbonized condition.

The nervous systemgeneral principles, that of the Insects.

resembles, inits

It is gaugliouic,

longitudinal, and generally distinctly developed.

The

sexes are separate.

Such are the general characters by which the Crustacea
proper may be distinguished, and which appear to be
sufficiently defined,

tends.

as far as our present

knowledge ex-

A further insight into the structure of each systemof organs, as existing in the different orders and familiesof the class, will show how various and startling are someof their modifications.

INTRODUCTION.

xi

The construction of the skeleton inthis class of animals

most part very distinct from that of all others,

is for thealthough in some of the abnormal forms there is a remarkablefrom the typical structure, and a corre-

deviation

sponding- approximationin theinstance,

semble,intothat of other classes ; as, forsegments of certain Isopoda,
character,

generalIn the greater

Myriapoda.

which

re-

some forms amongst the

number of them, andes-pecially in the higher forms, thetegumentary skeleton isformed of a hard, solid, calcareous crust, the earthy portion ofwhich consists of carbonate of lime, with a small

portion of phosphate of the same earth.

The colours bywhich the crust is, in many cases, very beautifully marked,

depend upon a pigment which pervades different parts ofsubstance, and offers various hues, and sometimes

thecurious and grotesque markings, in different species.

colouring matter, in theseThe

most other animals,

as in

is

more intense on the upper than on the under surface,
the latterthe formerisinmany, nearly pure white, whilstandThe earthy
deeplybrightly coloured.

being,

matter is deposited upon, and produced by, an organizedvascular membrane or corium.
In many of the smaller
Crustacea, even amongst the higher forms, as in most of
the PalfEinonidee or prawns, and other allied families, aswell as in most of the lower groups, as the
Isopoda, andothers, the crust retains its semi-transparent, elastic, andflexiblenature,resembling

the earthy matter being

thin

horn

or

parchment,

deposited in very small quan-

Although this difference is not wholly correlativewith the groups in which it principally obtains,
as fortities.

instance, in the genus Palcemon, in which the crust of somespecies,as thecommon prawn,

matter, whilst in others, itishas scarcely any earthy

almost as solidly calcareous

INTRODUCTION.

Xll

as

the lobster

itself,relation

their habits ;

in

near

to

it

yet

would appear to bear athe presenceof the cal-careous substance hardening and solidifying the skeleton,

and thus rendering it an efficient protection against therocks and waves of the more exposed parts of the sea, being found in the greatest proportion in species exposed tosuch agents; whilst the others are either small,

activeswimming with great ease and constancy inopen and shallow situations, or creeping safely

creatures,more

amongst fuci or under stones, and other protecting substances,or even attachingthemselves tothesurface ofdifferent species of fish.

The annulose
which

it

gives

character, typical of the great group to

its

designation,

has, in a great

the species composing this class, reached its

number of

maximum of

The segments which surround the body are
more complete, and more separately movable, whilst they

development.

possess a greater degree of individual solidity than inothers.

They are also furnished withany

articulated appen-

dages ; each segment, whether remaining distinct or intimately united to others, bearing a single pair, in a moreor less developed, or in a merely rudimentary condition.

In numerous instances, from this intimate union or soldering

together of twoormore segments, the onlyindi-cation of their theoretical separate existence is the presence

but with
normal number of these appendages
this aid it rarely happens, in the higher forms of Crusof the;tacea, that they cannot be proved to exist.

The true normal number of thewhole class,segments, taking theappears to be twenty-one, of which, accord-

ing to our present knowledge, seven must be considered as

belonging to the head, and an equal number respectively
thorax and the abdomen.
Now, although it isto theINTRODUCTION.

Xllltrue that there is not a single known species in whichallthese segments are found in a distinct and tangible condition

them

the forms, more or

fewer ofso inseparably united together as to offer

no other

there being inmeans by whichto predicate their existence,

already alluded to

one whichallthan thoseon the other hand, there

yet,

not

is

may not be found distinctly formed in some or

The appendages, too, which havebeen
alreadyslightly mentioned, are no less subject to theotherof the species.

most

extraordinary variation

many ofthem servinginboth of form andoffice;one case the purposes of loco-

motion, in another the reception and preparation of the
food,

in

anothertheattachment

of

the

branchiae,

another the support and protection of the eggs.
therefore,

we

considerthealmostendless

form, under which the species composing

in

When,

diversity

of

class

of

this

animals appear, the astonishing discrepancy which exists
in the forms and relative proportions of the different
regions of the body, and other parts of their organization,
for the performance of offices and functions equally various,and see that all these diversities are produced only by modifications of a typicalnumber of parts, we cannot but be

struck by so remarkable and interesting an illustration of
the

great

economical law,asit

may betermed,thatthe typical structure of any group being given, the different

habits of its component species or minor groups are provided

for, not by the creation of new organs or the destruction ofothers, but by the modification, inform, structure, or place,of organs typically belonging to the group.

Of this law numerous examples will be exhibited in thecourse of this work, in the structuralcharacters of every

order and of every family
but for the sake of offeringa single comprehensible illustration, the various niodifi;

INTRODUCTION.

XIV

The

cations of the thoracic appendages may be selected.

typical structure of these may be considered as subservingThis

the purposes of locomotion.
fulfil,either wholly or in part,

instances the whole ofisthe office which theyand in somein all cases ;them are thus employed.

Iscypoda, for instance, theIn thebody consists very principally of

the seven thoracic segments, and their appendages consti-

In the AmpMpoda thetute seven pairs of true feet.

or second pairs

become modified in the malefirstinto strong

holders by the greater development of the hand, and themovable character of the terminal articulation, and its ap-

a strong corresponding process from the
In several of the L&modipoda
penultimate articulation.
five pairs only of the thoracic appendages are developed
plicability

into

to

members, of which the first and second pairs consti-

tute true hands or graspers, and the third and fourth aredestined to a totally different office ; forming respiratory
sacs, tosupply the place of the abdominal appendages in

the Isopoda, theabdomen in the present instance being

reduced to a mere rudiment.

In the Decapoda there are
only five pairs of true thoracic members, and these answer
to the five posterior

segments of the thorax;

but the ap-

pendages to the segments anterior to these are rendered
subservient to mastication,or to the preparationof theform of footjaws or pcdipafys. I have only
enumerated a few of the more conspicuous modifications

food, in theof these organs, for the purpose of conveying at a glancesome idea of the extraordinary aberrations from the typicalstructure which will meet us at every step, in the investigation of these animals,

whose habits and requirements

are so varied.

The composition ofthesegments intheCrustacea,

although modified to a great extent in the different forms,

INTRODUCTION.
is

XV

yet susceptible of being reduced to a perfect theoretical

Indeed, inidea.

many forms, the parts of which eachsegment
composed are distinctly appreciable by careful
examination and it is found that these parts consist inis;

two arches, a superior and an inferior, each of which isformed of two middle and two lateral pieces.
pair,

The superior central

a a, constitute the tergum,

the lateral are called epimera, b b.

Of the inferior arch, the two central pieces form the sterand to the lateral, d d, the name of episternum
num, c<?,has been applied.

As we have already seen, in enume-rating the segments themselves which compose the different

regions of the body, that some or other of them are always

found to be so intimately combined together that their distinctionisso in the present case also,

lost,some or otherof the theoretical elements of the segments are either actually wanting, or certain of them are so intimately unitedthat the normal number cannot be distinguished.
It is also necessary, in order to obtaina correct idea of

the actual structure of the skeleton or supporting organs
in the Crustacea, to consider those processes of crustaceous

matter which,in theform of internal lamina, form theparietes of the cells and canals which are found in theinterior of theseoffice ofmany of which

serve theThese have received the name of apodema,

are attached.

"animals, andbones, as the solid surfaces to which the muscles

They arise

in

all

cases fromthe junction of two con-tiguous pieces of one segment, or from the union of tworings.

They are produced by a duplicature of the tegu-

mentary membrane, which dips more or less deeply amongst
the internal organs, and which becomes encrusted withcalcareous matter with the rest of the shell ; they are con-

INTRODUCTION.

XVI

sequently always formed of twowere, together."layers,soldered,

as

it

*

Of the various segments composing the three principal
portions of the body, the head, the thorax, and the abdo-men, some are found always

to support similar, or rather

Thus the first cephalic segment or ring

identical, organs.

invariably bears the peduncle of the eyes, and the second,or autennary, as constantly supports a pair of the antennse.

Of those which follow, there are the most extraordinary
and unlooked-for modificationsin the different groups ;hasa theoretical notion of
no
one
who
formedand
only
these parts could recognise in the simple piece of which

the whole cephalic region is composed in the Edriophthalma,or in the carapace or shell of the brachyurous Decapoda, as

common crab for instance, the mere combination ofin thetwo or more of the cephalic segments which in other forms
are found to be distinct.
all

For a full and clear account ofthese modifications, the reader is referred to the admi-

rable

work of Dr. Milne Edwards,

so

often

quoted andreferred to.

This author has, with great propriety, considered thegenus Squilla as offering the form in which the different

segments before enumerated are most distinctly exhibitedbut even in this form there are some which are, as it were,;

soldered together, and the normal number is consequently

The first cephalic segment, which, as

not to be traced.
beforeobserved,

isinvariably

ocular peduncles, andisdestinedtosupport thetherefore termed the ophthalmic

segment, is here quite distinct from the second, which
also very distinctly articulated with the third ;is,isthe latter

however, confounded with the next, and the following

ones are only to be distinguished by dissection.^*Ed\v. Hist. Nat. des Crust, i. p. 1!!.

]3ut thef Ib. p. 15.

INTRODUCTION.
last eleven are

XV11complete and perfectly distinct, and eachof them, without exception, bears its appropriate pair ofmembers.

Amongst the higher forms of

Crustacea,

itisin theUrachyura, where the nervous system is found in the mostconcentrated condition, that the condensation of the ringsof which the body is composed,
extent.

It isindeed somewhat

carried to the greatestisdifficult, at first sight, todetermine the homologies of the segments of which theThiscarapace, as it is termed, is theoretically composed.
of thelarge enveloping buckler in fact covers the wholethorax, and even theabdomen itself is folded underneathfromit, so that the whole animal is hidden, when viewed

by this extraordinary development of two of theand although in the Brachyura the
cephalic segments

above,;

firsttwo segments, the ophthalmic and the antennary, arewe find that in somesoldered to the carapace, yet, asother forms these two are entirely distinct, it would appear
that the carapace is essentially composed of the third andfourth rings, composing

what Dr. Milne Edwards terms

the antenno-maxillary segment.

This remarkable portion of the tegumentary system,
covering, as it does, the whole of the viscera, is found to

be more or less distinctly divided into regions, which areindicated by elevations, separated from each other by

and to these regions have been given names
derived from the different organs which are immediately

grooves ;covered by them.

As

these regions in genericreferenceisfrequently

made

to

and specific descriptions, I here

give an illustration of them.**rh

The gastric or stomachal region is marked r s;;

the branchial, r b ; the hepatic,

the genital, rg ; the cardiac r c ; the intestinal, r i.

XV111INTRODUCTION.

The thorax in the Decapods

in general

only

is

externallyvisibleunder-

neath, the upper partbeing covered by thecarapace, and being inthat part

incomplete.

The number of obvious segments in thesehigher forms

is

five,

and as each segment
bears

its

proper pairof appendages, which

here are true ambulatory legs, the character of Decapods is thus produced.

The superior surface of the thoracic
segments

islimited to the epimera,

the tergum being absolutely wanting-Upon this upper surface on each sidelie

the branchiae, orgills.

In

this

brief sketch it is only necessary torefer tothe apodematatuting the large cells of the thorax, formedasconsti-by a dupli-

XIX

INTKODUCTION.

cature of the walls dipping into the thoracic cavity, andfilled by the muscles which move the limbs.

The abdomen of the Brachyura is very moderately developed.*

It folds entirely underneath the thorax, against

It consists, essen-which it is ordinarily closely applied.

of seven segments, of which, however, in manyacases,
greater or less number are so united as to be

tially,scarcely distinguishable.

In the Macroura* they are far

more extended, and serve the purposes of locomotion,
being elongated, very moveable upon each other, andfurnished at the extremity with a fan-shaped fin, formedof five pieces, of which the centreisthe terminal ab-

dominal segment.
In the lower forms, as the Edriophthalma, the rings ofthe body are more similar to each other, and constitute anearly regular series of more or less perfect rings.

Thoseof the head, however, are ordinarily much condensed, andsoldered

together;whilst the thorax consists of sevenvery distinct nioveable segments, and theeither thesame

the seventh

number, or nearly so ; as inabdomen ofsome cases

wanting, and in others the two anteriorisones are united.

Between these two extreme cases, there are numerous
intermediate

modifications, which

various families

will

be seen in theand genera.

The members or appendages to the different segments
or annuli above described, form a very interestingandimportant part of the tegumentary system of these animals.

Theoretically speaking, every segment has its pairof appendages, and, vice versa, each pair of appendages,*

See the figures of the various species.
b 2

XX

INTRODUCTION.

whenever they exist, presupposes a segment or ring towhich they belong. In many cases, where a coalescencetakes place between

any of the contiguous segments,
distinct existence can only be predicated by thetheiroccurrence of the members which belong to them ; thus,

Brachyura, the carapace involves not only the thirdand fourth rings, enormously developed, but also the firstin thetwo, which bear the eyes and antenna;, and which are
indissolubly blended with the succeeding ones.

Normally there are twenty-one pairs of appendages or
limbs

:

generally

speakinir,

even in the higher forms,

twenty only are perceived, as the terminal joint of theabdomen, which forms the central piece of the fan-likeI have, however,fin, has none which are perceptible.
observed them frequently in thecommon prawn, Palce-

mon scrratm,* in the form of extremely minute points
attached

to

the

very

extremityof thesegment,

andmoveable.

The first pair exist only in the Podophthalma or stalkeyed forms, and constitute the peduncles upon which theeyes are elevated ; they are moveable, and in many cases
are of considerable length, lying, when at rest, in grooves,

or sockets, formed for their reception.
pairs are

The two following-of great importance, forming, in most cases,

organs of sense.

These are the antennae

One or bothpairs exist in all the forms of true Crustacea; ordinarilysIhave often separated the whole twenty-one pairs of appendages in thisthem seriatim on a card. They consist very clearly of thespecies, and placed

ocular peduncles, the anterior and posterior antenna;, the mandibles, the two pairsof maxilla-, the three pairs of foot-jaws, the fivepairs of thoracic legs, the fivepairs of abdominal false feet, the appendages to the sixth abdominal segment

forming tin: lateral caudal
above alluded to.

flap,

and the two minute rudimentary appendages

XXI

INTRODUCTION.

they are slender, elongated, moveable, and multiarticulate.
They are, however, subject, in some forms even of thehigher orders, to extraordinary modifications;

thus in thegenera Scyllarus and Ibacus, the external pair are developed into broad, flat organs of natation, and probably
also constitute a pair of shovels for the purpose of burrow-

Amphipoda, they are much elongated,

ing: and in some

serving as a pair of swimming or sustaining arms.

The

fourth pair always appertain to the mouth, and form man-ducating organs

:

these

are the mandibles.

The twopairs of jaws, or maxilla3, follow,

and are also employedin the comminution of the food.

Theoretically speaking,the next pair ought to be considered as belonging to the

cephalic division of the body;these, as well as the pre-vious and two following pairs, are, in the Decapoda, subservient to nutrition.

Theeighth and ninth pairs are,therefore, properly speaking, the first and second thoracic

members, and, with the seventh, constitute the three pairsof footjaws or pedipalps, leaving, in this particular class,the five remaining thoracic appendages to serve the officeof ambulatory locomotion, or of claws for the apprehension and tearing of the food, or of weapons of defence.

In most of the Edriophtbalma the normal arrangement
obtains, and the thorax bears seven pairs of ambulatory

members.
ceed six

The remaining appendages, which seldom expairs, belong to

the abdominal portion of thebody, and in the higher forms are very small and slightly
the thoracic dideveloped, in comparison with those of
the supconstitutethefemaleInvision.
Decapoda they
port of the eggs, after their exclusion, andcontinueas long as they

attached to the parent.

In their full development, each of these organs consists

INTRODUCTION.

XX11

The Stalk, which constitutes theof three distinct parts.
essential part,and which is usually multiarticulatethe;Palp, which is an appendage to the stalk, and ordinarily
arises from its basal segment ;It is not inand the Lash.

cases that these three portions exist, and in the Bra-allones inchyura, for example, the foot-jaws are the only

which they are all present.

The ambulatory thoracic legsin these are obviously composed only of the stalk, without

either of the otherjoints.

members, and consist of six distinct

In the Macroura, however, the ambulatory feet, insome genera, have all the three elements

them

of

is

wanting.

innumerable, and often
guish their;in others, one

Their modifications
itarewould be impossible

almostto distin-homologues, without extensive comparative

examination.
It is impossible, in amere sketch, introductory to a

local Fauna, to enter, at any detail, into the various modifications

now merely alluded

to,but perhaps thereisscarcely any group of animals in which the homologies
aremore recondite, the variations more interesting, andthe relations

between those variations and the habits

and requirements of the animals more

beautifulandinstructive.

In orderto give a general idea of themodifications,
are

the

it

extent of these

may be stated that the ocular peduncles

only appendages which

are neverdevoted toany but their normal objects. The antennae arc, as has
been before observed, sometimes modified into locomotive

The cephalic appendages about the mouth, theorgans.
mandibles and maxillae, arc sometimes rudimentary, atother times they are modified into mere organs of appre-

hension.

The thoracic members are sometimes locomo-INTRODUCTION.

Xxiii

tive organs, at others they subserve the nutritive function

the remaining thoracic:

members are, in some cases, pre-hensile, in others ambulatory, in others natatory, in others
partially branchiophorous,

The abdominaland so on.

sometimes serve the purpose of swimming, at others ofbearing and protecting the eggs, at others they arepartially converted into branchiae.
fications,

some

or

Besides these modi-

other of them are, inmany forms,

either wholly wanting or
rudimentary.

The digestive system appears under very various phasesin the different groups of the Crustacea.

The extremesof this diversity are found in those two primary divisions,the food of whichismost opposite in its kind.

In theone group, the whole of which are parasitic upon otheranimals, and which I have in this Introduction considered
as belonging to a distinct class, the aliment consists of

the juices of the creatures to which they are attached, andisobtained by suction.

In these the normal elements of

the organs for procuring or preparing the food for diges-

In the higher
forms of the true Crustacea, on the contrary, which sub-tion are either rudimentary or wanting.

sist upon solidand often hard substances, and in manycases on living prey, the organs for pursuing, seizing,
tearing, and comminuting the food, are carried to a highdegree of development, and a corresponding difference isalso found in the digestive organs themselves.

elaborate condition of these organsisThe most

exhibited in the

Decapoda, and especially in the Brachyura.

It hasbeen

already stated that the appendages belonging to certainof the cephalo- thoracic segments are variously modified toserve their several offices;

and in the latter order they have

INTRODUCTION.

XXIV

been shown to consist of six pairs, of which some are actualorgans of mastication, as the mandibles or the true jaws,
the foot-jaws or pedipalps generally serving to keep thefood in contact with the former, whilst it is being broken

up by them.

The buccal orifice in the Brachyura occupies the inferior face of the cephalic division of thebody, andisbounded anteriorly by a crustaceous lamina of determinate form, which has been termed the upper lip, and posteriorly by anothertermed the lower lip.

The mandibles

occupy the sides of the opening. After these, and external to them, are the first, and then the second pair oftrue jaws, followedby the three pairs of pedipalps or

foot-jaws, the last of which, whenat rest, close the mouth,

and include the whole of the preceding ones.

In theMacroura, the pedipalps are very different in their forms,
and have the aspect of very simple feet. In the Stoma-

poda they not only have the form, but the office also of
the other locomotive organs, and hence the increased

number of legs which appear to appertain to these, andespecially to the Mysiclae.

In the Edriophthalma, and theother lower forms, the parts about theand more simple.

mouth are fewer,

At the back of the mouth, a shortoesophagus opens into the stomach, whichisa very ca-

pacious cavity, occupying the whole depth of the body in
the Decapods, and co-extensive with the gastric region of
the carapace, already described.

It is pretty distinctly

divided into two portions, a cardiac and a pyloric, theformer occupying the greater portion of the cavity, thelatter of small

dimensions.

The means of comminuting the food are not restricted
to thecomplicated machinery above referred

to, fortheXXV

INTRODUCTION.

stomach itself contains a very remarkable apparatus, consisting of several

termed gastrichard calcareous pieces, which

may beThese are attachedhorny orteeth.

tocalcareous levers fixed in the parietes of the stomach ;they are moved by a complicated system of muscles, andare admirably adapted to complete the thorough breaking

down of the aliment, which had already been to a conby the buccal appendages.
These gastric teeth may be readily seen and examined inextentsiderable

effected

the larger species of the Decapoda, as in the large eatablecrab and the lobster ; and it will be readily perceived how
perfectly the different pieces areother,

andto grind themade to act upon eachfood interposed between them.

Analogous structures, but of less complexity, are foundThe single and simple intestinein the Edriophthalma.
extends in a direct line from the stomach, and terminates

segment of the abdomen.

at the lastits

Immediately fromorigin at the pyloric opening of the stomach, a notableenlargement is observed, but the rest of the canal is
The enlarged portion is, in some cases,of uniform size.
very short;in others,

itoccupies the larger portion of

the total length.

The liver isof considerable volume in most of thefamilies of Crustacea, and occupies in thegreater portion of the visceral cavity.

Decapoda theIt consists ofamass of caecal vesicles, ordinarily more or less elongated,and pouring the secretion into a system of membranous
canals, the union of which forms ultimately a large trunkon each side, which opens into the pyloric portion of thestomach.

Such is the structure of this important glandin the highest forms ; but

structureisin the larger

Stomapoda

its

apparently granular, and it forms two seriesINTRODUCTION.

XXVI

of lobes extending the whole length of the intestine,andin the Edviophthalraa, according to

reduced toisitwards," three

pairs

Prof.

M. Ed-of biliary vessels,

running alongside the intestine, the whole length of the

There are other tubular appendages connected7bod} ."

with the pyloric portion of the stomach, which are of
considerable size in certain of the larger Decapoda, andwhich, from analogy, may with some probability be considered as pancreatic.

The respiration in this class is, with very few exceptions

In some of theamongst the Isopoda, aquatic.
it wouldthat
there are no special
appearlower forms,

organs devoted to this function, but in the higher thesevery varied, and inmany cases of a complicatedformof Crustacean respiratory
typicalorgans may be considered that of lamellar branchiae and
are

The

character.

;

this

form

is

found in the Decapoda, and particularly in

the Brachyura ; in the crab it is seen in its most complete

development.

The branchiae are placed within a distinct

cavity on each side, protected above by the carapace, andlying upon the upper surface of the thorax.
sist of

They con-a series of elongated pyramidal bodies, each com-posed of a vast number of plates or lamellae, which areclosely packed, but still admit of the free circulation of
the water between them.

The respiratory cavity has anafferent and an efferent opening, through which the waterispropelled by a mechanism differing in the different

groups.

The former opening, through which the water

has access to the cavity, is a long lateralslit,

the cephalo-thorax and the side of the thorax
latter isnear the buccal cavity, andis;betweenand thecovered by theINTRODUCTION.

XXvii

appendage of the second pair of thetrue jaws, which is developed into a broad horny plate,last or flabelliformby a sort of pivot, on which it continually turns,
and thus regulates the efflux of the water. Prof. Milne

fixed

Edwards observes, that this action is proved
the renewal oftosentialifbranchiae, as,

itsbelongingbe es-

bathes the

movements be stopped, the animal

becomes soon asphyxiated.
this function

tothe water which

to

The whole of the apparatus
in thehigher Crustacea

isexceedingly curious and interesting, but it would be outof place to enter into the detail in this work.

The branchiae are very differently formed in thedif-ferent orders of the class, and even vary considerably insome genera of the samefamily.

In some cases theabdominal appendages support these organs; in others
they are attached to the basal joint of the thoracic legs;
insome genera, as in My sis, their distinct existence has

not as yet been demonstrated, although, asIhave ob-served in speaking of that genus in the body of the work,
there appears

littledoubt that a special organ exercises

their function.

In theterrestrial Isopoda, or theas they are termed, the respirationcommon Millipedes,
isexclusively atmo-

spheric.

The respiration of the land crabs, which must necessarilybe, during the greater part of their lives, atmo-

spheric,

one of the

is

most

remarkablephenomenaconnected with this subject, and has occupied the attention of Mons. Audouin and Dr. Milne Edwards, who havegiven a most elaborate and interesting
subject,*to*which the reader

ismemoir on thisreferred.

Annales des Sciences Naturelles, t. v. p. 85.

It

is

well

INTRODUCTION.

xxviiiknown that the

lobster will live for a long time out ofwater, provided the branchiae are occasionally bathed, so

keep them in a humid condition, whilst it will
die very soon on being confined in a small quantity ofastowater, without access to

air.

There has been considerable discrepancy in the statements of different anatomists respecting the circulation in
Messrs. Audouin and Milne Edwards*"
no other than the two great bran-

the Crustacea.

have considered thatchial veins terminate in the heart, and, consequently, only

pure aerated or arterial blood
general system;ispropelled by it over thethe circulation is, in fact, thethe Gasteropodous Mollusca ; the ventricle

issame as in
exclusively

systemic, and is provided with only two venous aperSuch is a summary of their opinion. The fact,tures."

however, that the circulation is of a mixed kind was evidently known to Hunter, and has been elaborately demonstrated by Professor Owen in his more recent researches.f

A reference to the engravings from the Hunterian drawings in the collection of the Royal College of Surgeons,!
to that of the heart of the lobster by Professor Owen in

his lectures

above referredscriptions of these figures,and to the respective de"will showthat the heart,to,instead of being purely systemic,

ispartly branchial, andimpels the blood, not through the body only, but also to
the respiratory organs."* Recherches
Anatomiques et
Crustaces.

Pliysiologiques

sur

la

Circulation

clans

les

Ann. des Sc. Nat. t. ii.

Lectures on the Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of the Invertebr.
J Catalogue of the Physiological Scries of Comparative Anatomy containedin the Museum of theRoyal College of Surgeons, vol. ii. Copied in ProfessortI!

yiner Jones's" Animal

Kingdom," pp. 333-336.

INTRODUCTION.
"

We may trace," says Professor Owen,* " in the heartof the Crustacea, a gradational series of forms, from theelongated, median, dorsal vessel, to the short, broad andcompact muscular ventricle in the lobster and the crab.
In all the Crustacea, as in all the other articulate animals,
the heartissituated immediately beneath the skin of theback, above theintestinal tube, and is retained in situ by

In the lower, elongated, many-

lateral pyramidal muscles.

jointed species of the Edriophthalmous Crustacea the heart
vasiform character:presents

its

compactin the

crab.

In

it is

this

broadest and mostserieswe may trace ageneral correspondence in the progressive developmentof the vascular as of the nervous system, concomitantwith theconcentration

the progressiveof thecompactness

external segments,
the

in

and

form of the entire

body."

Corresponding with the view which has been taken of
the gradual condensation of the segments of the bodyand the centralization of the viscera, is that of the nervous
system as seen in the various forms of Crustacea as theyrise in the scale of organization.

An elaborate detailed

description of all the gradations formed the substance ofan admirable essay f by the distinguished naturalists so
often quoted, of whose labours an excellent abstract

given by my friend Professor Rymer Jones, in hisis" Ani-

mal Kingdom." |In Talitrus, where the insectiform arrangement is themost obvious, and where every pair of ganglia consists of* L. c.
p. 180.

Messrs. Audouin et Milne"

Recherches Auatomiques
Edwards,
SystOme Nerveux dus Crust;iccs." Ann. des Sc. Nat. t. xiv.
t

J L. c. p. 337.

sur

lo

XXX

INTRODUCTION.

two separate nuclei of nervous substance, united by atransverse band, with an anterior and posterior nervous
filament uniting each to the antecedent and succeedingpairs, the number of ganglia (thirteen) coincides with thatsegments of the body. Proceeding upwards, acondensation, both lateral and longitudinal, of certain ofof thethe ganglia is found to be coincident with the concentration of the rings, until in the crab the whole of the abdo-

minal and thoracic ganglia become concentrated into one
mass, from which the nerves radiate in a most beautiful

manner to

the parts about themouth, the limbs, &c.

The conclusions to which their elaborate researches haveconducted Messrs. Audouin and Milne Edwards are thus
given

:

" Le

systeme nerveux des Crustaces se compose tou-

jours de noyaux medullaires dont le nombre normal est
egal a celui des membres, et toutes les modifications qu'on

y rencontre dependent principalement de rapprochemens
plus ou moins coniplets de ces noyaux, agglomeration qui

mediane en meme temps
direction longitudinale, mais peuvent tenirs'opere des cotes vers la ligneque dans laen partie a un arret de developpement dans un
certain nombre de ces noyaux." *aussi

The organ of hearing is found only in the higher formsof this class.
in theIn the larger Decapoda, and particularly

brachyurous group, it is very easily seen, on re-moving a little crustaceous plate in the basal joint of thesecond antennae, and thus exposing a small cavity. This
operculumispierced by a small oval opening, covered

with a membrane ; and in the Macroura, the whole closure*Hist. Nat. des Crustaces, t. i. p. 147.

XXXI

INTRODUCTION.
ismembranous.

hind thelittleWithin the cavity and immediately beopening before mentioned, is a minutevesicle filled with fluid, which conveys the vibrations tobranch of the antennal nerve, which is expandedThis is the simple apparatus ; but
upon the vesicle.
aitreceive and convey to the sensorium

sufficient to

is

the

imperfect

sonorous

vibrations

towhich they are

subject.

The visual organ is essentially similar to that of inThe eyes are compound in all the higher forms,

sects.

and those of the Edriophthalma do not differ essentiallyfrom those of the Podophthalma, excepting in the absence of those movable peduncles by which the eyes of&e latter are distinguished.

The optic nerve, the lenses,

the facets of the cornea, the pigment, are alike in all, andinresemble generally the same

all

There

is

organsone peculiarity, however, whichinisinsects.

found incertain species which live in such places as are inacces-

such degrees of it as would render
any way useful. In Calocaris, for instance, asible to light, or toeyes inlittleprawn-like animal, inhabiting very deep water, andordinarily immersed in mud, the eyes and their peduncles

do notdiffer inform from those of the other Palxrno-

pidsej but the vision is wanting.

There is no pigment,

there are no corneal facets; the organisevidently rudi-

Mr. Westwood has recently
made known through the Linuean Society a form ofmentary and merely formal.

JEdriophthalma, inhabiting a deep well, a species in which

no external appearance of eyes whatever Mr.
Newport has, however, by his accustomed accuracy of

there

is

dissection,;

shewn that invisual organ exists

this case also, arudimentary

underneath the cephalic crust.

INTRODUCTION.

XXX11

The propagation of the Crustacea proper is invariably
oviparous, and the sexes are distinct.

The reproductive

organs in either sex are double, the two elements being
perfectly similar, and occupying a corresponding position

The twoon each side of the medianline.

independent of eachhaving no communication

other,

arewhollyeven to the efferent opening, there being one of them toDr. Milne Edwards mentions the following curious
each.
"

Cette independance des deux moities de 1'appareilde generation est si complete qu'on a vu un cas, ou Tun

fact:

des cotes etait male et 1'autre femelle,sans

que cettemonstruosite eut entraine aucune autre perturbation sensible

dans la conformation de ces organes."*

They arevery similar in arrangement, position, and general relation
to the other organs in the two sexes.

In most cases the eggs are carried by the female until
they are hatched; but in someposited in the sand.
carried

body.
side
feet.

they are previously deIn different families the eggs areby the mother attached to different parts of the
In the Decapoda they are borne on the underof the abdomen, attached totheabdominal

false

In the genus My sis, a pouch is formed at the baseof the posterior thoracic legs,f in which the eggs remain

In Thysanopoda, anotheruntil the young are excluded.

genus of the Mysidae,

they are contained

purses, depending from the*Hist, des Crust, t.

i.

p. 165.

in

two ovalsame part.|t

See p. 336.

J See p. 346.

INTRODUCTION.

XXX111

ON EXUVIATION AND THE RESTORATION OF LOST
LIMBS.

its

The fact that the throwing off of the old integument andreplacement by a new one during the growth of theanimal, takes place inall

the Crustacea as necessarily

and as constantly as in insects during their larva condition, has long

been known, and as long has excited thewho take any interest in natural phe-admiration of all

nomena.

That an animal covered by integument of thehard, solid, almost stony consistence as that of the lobster

and the crab, for example, should have the power of withdrawing itself from its shell, leaving it, to all appearance,
as perfect as before, with the carapace, thelimbs, the eyes,

the antennae,

abdomen, theand even the stomachal

teeth, and other internal shelly organs, wholeand intheir former

relative situationand entire,and condition, is

one of the most interesting, and, at first sight, one of themost perplexing and inexplicable, of all the phenomenaof voluntary action.

The

first

clear

and

on thissatisfactory observations

subject were made by Reaumur,* whose unexampledaccuracy and truthfulnessisattested by the fact that of

all the observations made by himself alone, far exceeding

those of any other naturalist of pastor present

times,and occupying, in their published form, numerous large
quarto volumes, scarcely one has ever been contravened

by subsequent credible observers, whilst they have formed
the substance of half the numerous compilations on insect life, acknowledged or otherwise, which have appearedsince his time.
*Mem. de I'Acad. des Sc. 1712, p. 2'2(j, and 1718, p. 2C3.
C

INTRODUCTION.

XXXIVThe necessity for the process in question is so evident,
seeing that, without it, there would be no possible meansof allowing the gradual growth of the animal, thatitismatter of surprise that it should have ever been doubted, as

appears to have been by a distinguished entomologist,
more especially of late years, when so many conclusiveitobservations have been

made of the fact.

doubt that in many of the higher forms

it

There is no
takes place

annually, with great regularity,* until the growth

is

com-

pleted, which in many species is not the case before theanimal is many years old.

which thetoThis is proved by the extent

size increases

by each moult, comparedwith the difference between the young and the old ani-

mal;

and it is evident that after the growth has reachedmaximum the crust ceases to be changed, from the

its

which

fact

I

have seen in several instances, as in thecommon crab, the lobster, and some others, where thecarapace of thestillliving creature was the seat of bar-nacles so large, that several years must probably havebeen required for attaining their existing size.
The observations of Reaumur to which I have alluded,

and those of subsequentand especially ofnaturalists,

Mr. Couch, furnish us with the following history of thiscurious process.

Whenanimal by gradual internal increase has

thebecome too large for its existing covering, it ceases for atime to feed, and retires to a secret and undisturbed situation, where it may undergo the process in security.

be examined*

Some recent

prawn, tho moult

muchat this time,

an evident loosening of theobservations by Mr. Warrington
is

If it

shew thatin

thecommonmuch more frequent; he has noticed its occurrence withregularity, every twelve days, in thesummer.

XXXVINTRODUCTION.
crust

may be perceived, upon pressing it gently in dif-ferent parts.

belongs

Shortly afterwards,

and

this

description

particularly to the river c ray -fish,itappears

uneasy and restless, rubbing its limbs against each other,and moving the segments of the body in various directions.

It

throws itself on

its

back, and, swelling out its

body, ruptures the membrane which connects the cara-

pace with the abdomen, and raises the former, so as toloosen it from its attachments.
Resting from time totimeafter its laborious

efforts,

itfinallydetachesthewhole thoraco-abdominal portion, from which it withdraws
having,itself,much apparent difficulty and pain,withdisengaged the legs, and then the antennas, the eyes, andother appendages.

It isimpossible to imagine that thecrust of the legs, and especially of the great claws of thelarger species, could be cast off unless it were susceptibleof being longitudinally split; and Reaumur states that

such

is

actually the case; each of thesegments being

composed of two longitudinal pieces, which, after separating to allow of the passage of the soft limb, close again
so accurately that

it

is

very

difficult, into discover the line of division.

the cast crust,When the animal has

disembarrassed itself of the crust, the latter is found absolutely entire, and has exactly the form which

the operation.

previous toitpossessed

In a recent interesting ac-

count of the exuviation of a Maia,* Mr. Gosse has, however, shewn that in this brachyurous form,no such split"
the animal pulledting of the legs takes place, but thatfirst atone and then at another, until they were quite out,

as if from boots.

The joints as they came out were a great

deal larger than the cases from which they proceeded.
*

Annals of Nat. Hist. 2nd Ser. vol. x. p. 210.

ItXXXVIINTRODUCTION.

was evident that, in this instance, neither were the shells
split to afford a lateral passage for the limbs, nor were thelimbs reduced to tenuity by emaciation." The new in-and membranous, but speedily
becomes encrusted with calcareous matter, and as hard
tegument is at

first

The additional size which is gained byas the former.

each moult

is

soft

very striking, and I have often

felt,

on

seeing a newly-emancipated crab by the side of the shell

which it had just shed, that, were not the fact absolutely
ascertained by observation, it would appear physically impossible that the larger body could have so recently been

contained within so small acase.

Reaumur supposed
is in many

that even the hairs with which the surface

species furnished, were contained within the cast crust;

but Dr. Milne Edwards asserts that such is not the casestating that they are not at first obvious

the;on the surface of

new shell, but " sont rentres a 1'interieur, comme ledoigt d'un gant qui serait retourne sur lui-meme

open,says this author,

a

"
!

If we

Maia a short time before

thecommencement of the moult, we find between the existing shell and the" choriou " a membranous
layer, which

resembles condensed cellular tissue, and which becomes
thicker and more solid, as the period of moult approaches ;itis evidently secretedby the chorion, and is moulded

upon the shell which covers it. In the common crab
(Cancer Pagurus), and some others of similar form, it
would appear that the carapace, instead of being
entire,cast

divides at the junction of the epimera with thedorsal piece or tergum ; a fact which 1 have often seen in

many species, particularly in the larger Grapsidne, which,from their form, could not possibly withdraw the bodywithout such a separation.

INTRODUCTION.

XXXVllIn the account of the great crab, p. (32, I have statedthat the male lies in wait for the female previous toandduring her moult, and seizes her as soon as thisac-complished, whilst she
the process;

and

I

is

still

is

weak and enfeebled byhave so commonly seen the maleand female shore-crab (Carcinus Manas) in conjunction

when the latter is still soft, that there can be no doubtthat thisisa general, although certainly not a constant

habit.

A no less curious and interesting process than thatabove described,

isthe voluntary casting of the limbs,

and the restoration of such as have been thus lost by the
animal's will, or by accident.

Reaumur in this case also

was the first to make any correct and scientific researcheson the subject, and his statements, full of interest, will befound in the earlier of the two memoirs already quoted.

My friend Mr. Couch has subsequently extended theseobservations, which will be found embodied in my accountof the habits of the lobster at page 245.

On this subject an interesting paper was read before
the Wernerian Society of Edinburgh by Mr. H. Goodsir,in December, 1843 ;and to the details which I have givenin the place above mentioned, I would merely add a shortabstract of Mr. H. Goodsir's paper:*" It haslong been known that the animals belonging tohave the power of reproducing parts of theirbody which have been accidentally lost. If one of the morethis classdistant phalanges of a limb

be tornoff,

the animal has

the power of throwing the remaining part of the limb off'
altogether.
atThis separation is found to take place always

one spot only, near the basal extremity of the*Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. xiii. p. 67.

firstINTRODUCTION.

xxxviii

phalanx.

The author has found that a small glandular-

like body exists at this spot in

supplies the germs forfills

each of the limbs, which

This body completely

future legs.

up the cavity of the shell for the extent of

an inch in length.
dular-like

about half

The microscopic structure of this glan-

body is very peculiar, consisting of anumber of large nucleated cells,

greatwhich are interspersed

throughout a fibro-gelatinous mass.

A single branch ofeach of the great vessels, accompanied by a branch ofcentre ofnerve, runs through a small foramen near the
body, but there is no vestige of either muscle
tendon, the attachments of which are at each extremity.

or

this

Tn fact, this body is perfectly defined, and can be turned
out of the shell without being much injured.

" When the limb

isthrown off, the blood-vessels andnerve retract, thus leaving a small cavity in the new-madesurface.

It is from this cavity that theleg springs, andisat first

germ of the future

seen as a nucleated cell.

cicatrix forms over the raw surface caused
tion,

A

by the separa-

which afterwards forms a sheath for the young leg."

METAMORPHOSIS.

One of the most marked characters by which this class
was long considered as distinguished from that of insects,
was the supposed absence of any such change of form,
fromduring the progress of development after exclusion
the egg, as is ordinarily understood by the term metamorphosis;

and Dr. Leach, in

his definition of the class,*

formally adopts this character, which has been repeatedly

recognised by others.
*

Encycl. Brit., Art. Crustacea.

XXXIXINTRODUCTION.
It was in the year

1823 that Mr. Vaughan Thompson,

whose name is now identified with the discovery, following up an observation
ralist,made by Slabber, a Dutch natu-

as long ago as 1768, and published ten years after-wards, established theremarkable fact that those ano-malous forms which constituted the genus Zoea of Bosc,
are nothing more than the early or larva condition of theimagined that nosmall excitement was produced in the scientific world byhigher Crustacea.

It willreadily be

the announcement of a discovery which, followed up, as it
afterwards was, with equal intelligence and perseverance,

and with corresponding success, may claim for its authora place amongst the few observers who, from a single

phenomenon, have been led to the establishment of generalisations and laws of the highest importance.
Notwithstanding, however, thecredit

due

is

to

Mr.

Thompson of having carried out the suggestion to its fulldevelopment, it was undoubtedly to the Dutch naturalistthat he was indebted for theascertained factthat theanomalous creatures on which Bosc afterwards founded
his genus

Zoea pass by metamorphosis

intoa different

and a higher form.
BeforeI

proceed with the further history of thisdis-

it right to show the grounds of Slabber's
which
had
been wholly overlooked as to its results,
claim,

covery, I think

and which, in consequence of an error arising from deficient information,

place,

Mr. Thompson himself,

in

the

first

much depreciated, without, as far as I am aware,

having afterwards taken any opportunity of correcting
the misapprehension.
It was, then, in the year 1778

which occursthat Slabber published a small

work, ina description

new crustacean animalwithfigures ofaINTRODUCTION.

xl
Fi

-

ft>

(fig.

a,)

which

to

the

name ofZoea Taurus wasafterwards given.

Havingtaken at sea several spe-cimens of

thissingularcreature, he placed oneof them (rt) in sea water,which he constantly
newed,

for

the

re-

purpose" onof observation, and,the third day, finding its

movement become slower
and its colour paler, lie subjected it to the microscope,and found to his surprisethat the anterior part of

the animal had changed
its form, and on the fourth

day it had acquired theappearance

represented

in fig. b, so that, together

with the other individuals

he had taken, it seemed
to

have

experienced acomplete metamorphosis ;under this new form thedorsal spine

peared,had

thehad disapfront

becomespine

compara-tively small, the antenna?

wererenderedconspi-cuous, the feet and eyes

were apparently more de-INTRODUCTION.

xli

veloped, and the tail had changed from forked to spatu-

by a row of thirteen short spines." It would
seemthat this plain and simple statement, supcertainlylate, fringed

wasin many respects

by Mr. Thompson's

own subsequent

observations, canscarcely justify theported asitconclusion to which that gentleman is led,* '"'that Slabberlost hisZoea, in changing the sea water, and that the

new form came from the added portion."

But the truthof Slabber's statement, and, consequently, the evidenceof the correctness and originality of his discovery, arevery strongly proved by the almost absolute identity ofthe second form of his animal with that of several species

subsequently observed;

and particularly of the ditch-

prawn, Palaemon varians, as figured by Capt. Du Cane.f
It was, however, from this observation of Slabber that

Mr. Thompson, in the year 1823, was inducedout the investigation.

to carryIn the spring of the previous year,

as he informs us, in the harbour of Cove, he first met with" in theZoeas, and that in considerable abundance andone of considerable sizeyear following, at the same season,
occurred, amongst a number of smaller ones, and, judging it;grown, he considered it a fit subject to keep for theobserved bypurpose of witnessing the metamorpltosis

full

Slabber" &c.

The metamorphosis was interrupted by

the death of the animal when in the act of undergoing
it ;

but

it

had advanced

sufficiently toshow that the

animal belonged to the Brachyura, and the portion which

was observed, contained all the fivefeet

on oneside,

the anterior foot being furnished with a perfect claw
and it appears now more than probable that the form into;*

Zool. Researches, p. 8.

tAnn. Nat. Hist. vol. ii. pi. G.

INTRODUCTION.

Xlii

which

it

was passing was that of Meyalopa,

to

which

further reference will be presently made.

Here, then, was thefirstdecided demonstration

any doubt which might be supposed;

to appertain to

but

an

incomplete fact, was shortly removed by Mr. Thompson's
success in hatching the ova of the common crab, Cancer

Pagurus, the product of which were true Zoeas.
Subsequent observations by Mr. Thompson confirmed
his new views, and he established the truth of a metamor-change in several genera; the results of his researches being given to the world in a subsequent portion

photic"of his Zoological Researches, in the
Entomological Ma"
Jameson's
andin
Journal," fparticularly in agazine,"*paper read before
lished indetails

the"

the Royal Society in 1835, and pub-PhilosophicalTransactions,"

are given of the complete changes

in

in

which

Caret misM(cnas, the common shore crab, which establish the further interesting and important fact, that while the animal
appears under the aspectfrom the egg,itof a Zoea on

its first

exclusionundergoes a further change into a true

Megalopa before its final assumption of the perfect form:showing that this supposed genus also, which was formed

by Leach, is, like Zoea, only a phase of a higher type.
Thus, in its progress from the egg toils final development,
the brachyurous crustacean was proved to pass throughtwo temporary conditions, which had previously been
regarded as types, not of genera only, but of different
and both strikingly dissimilar from the group tofamilies;

which, in its perfect state, it really belongs.

The new doctrine was not received at once with implicit assent.
*

Mr. Wcstwood, in a paper read before theVol. iii. pp. 85, 275, 370, 4,V_'.

t For 1U46.

INTRODUCTION.

xliii

Royal Society in June, 1835,* not only contests the universality of the law, which Mr. Thompson had somewhat
too hastily, perhaps, deduced from his facts, but concludes"nothat that gentleman's views are erroneous, and thatexception occurs to the general law of development in thenamely, that they undergo no change of form
to warrant the application to them of

Crustacea

sufficiently marked

the term metamorphosis."

This hasty, and, as the result has proved, very premature condemnation, derived some primd facie supports
from the elaborate investigations of Rathke on the deve-

lopment of the embryo in the ova of the river c ray-fish,
Astacus jlui'iatilis, and the subsequent observations of
Mr. Brightwell on that of the lobster, which

latter,how-

have since been only partially verified by Rathke,

ever,

and are, indeed, modified in some particulars by Mr. R.
Couch.

To these I shall have occasion to refer moreparticularly hereafter ;it issufficient now to observe, thatin both instances the animal was stated to be perfected by

gradual development, and not by any sudden change ofform.

These, if even the statements were fully borne

out, have since been proved to be merely exceptional

cases ; andsupportnot onlyof Mr.

is

Mr. Rathke's assumed general

Westwood's objections

completely re-

moved, but that distinguished physiologist himself volunteers his strong testimony in favour of the opposite viewsin a subsequent paper, inthepublication of thesewhich he says that he hastens

new researches respecting

thedevelopment of several other forms of Crustacea, one ofwhich is the lobster, " in order, as soon as possible, torecord a testimony to the correctness of Thompson's dis* Phil. Trans.
1835, p. 311.

INTRODUCTION.

x liv

the Decapods, after they have alreadycoveiy, that evena very considerable metamorquitted the egg, undergo" from the notices
1and, in conclusion, he adds,
phosis;communicated respecting the
here
'

which

I

have

brieflydevelopment of some Decapods,

it

results that several ofthese animals, as first discovered and described by Thomp-

considerable and highly remarkableson, undergo a very
that II, therefore, confessmetamorphosis
in thathave done Thompson injustice in not putting faith" nextAnd he then states his intention
discovery."to subject
spring, partially

his researches on the cray-fish

There is one apparent anomaly, however,to revision."*on which Mr. Westwood dwells with some plausible showof reason, and on whichit

may be well to offer a few

remarks.

Amongst the specimens of Crustacea, preserved inwhich formed part of the collection of the lateRev. Lansdown Guilding, and which came into my pos-spirits,

sessionafter hisdeath, was one

female land crab,

abdomenof theof aGecarcimis, to which were attachednumerous young, in their perfect form, and very similar,a caseexcepting in size, to the parent. Here, then, wasin which,it

may at once be granted, noat least,

external andhad taken place

independent metamorphosis,
and on this, with the other instances above alluded;

to,Mr. Westwood founds his principal argument against thedoctrine

But may notenunciated by Mr. Thompson.

this probably be an analogous

phenomenon to that of theland salamanders amongst the amphibia?
that*instance,

where

the

parentWiegmann's Archiv. part iii. 1840.

pp. 263-2GB.

has

no

And,

as in

opportunity

Translated in Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. vi.

INTRODUCTION.

xlv

where, in the moreof depositing her eggs in the water,
typicalforms,

theyoung undergo

essential to the whole group, theoviduct; so

the

the

may

transformations

changes take place innot the young of the land crab,

whose habits require them to be speedily in a condition
to leave the coast

where they are hatched, formally un-dergo the metamorphosis within the egg ?
granted, it would be as reasonablemenon of transformation inThisbeing-

deny the pheno-tothe amphibia generally, be-cause the young of the salamander are brought forth in
the perfect state, as to deny its occurrence in the Crustacea, on the analogous exceptional case of the terrestrial

Gecarcinus.*I

do not consider it necessary to examine at any detailthe " six arguments" which Mr.Westwood adduces "against
the metamorphosis into crabs which the Zoes are statedundergo," since thetofacts,

Thompson, have been so
observers.

Indeed,exactly as related by Mr.

fully

I prefer

confirmed by subsequent

referringtothewhole ofMr. WestwoocVs elaborate examination of the question,
for the information of those who may have the curiosityseetohow much may plausibly be urged againstthetruth of a theory, so irrefvagably supported
sufficient to say thatisby facts. It
Mr. Westwood does not attempt

to bring forward a single investigation or observation of
his

own

in

support of his views, with the exception ofthat of the land crab, already mentioned. *f**

Mr. Thompson, in the case of Gecarcinus, as inthat of some other West-

Indian species, depended for his information upon some specimens of female
crabs with matured ova being sent to him in spirits.
of such observations

may warrant us in

The ambiguous character

eliminating themat once from thequestion.

t I have thoughtitnecessary to

examine Mr.

Westwood's objections at

INTRODUCTION.

xlvi

But Mr. Westwood was not the only one who demurred
to the correctness of Mr.

In theThompson's conclusion.

"
first volume of Milne Edwards's admirable
History of Crustacea,"* this author says,"

Les Decapodes paraissent tons
anneaux

naitre avec la serie complete de leurset leurs

membres ;" and in a note occurs the following opinion on
the earliest researches of Mr. Thompson.

" Suivant M.

Thompson, les Decapodes eprouveraient de veritable metamorphoses, car ce naturaliste regarde 1'animal connu
sous lecommunetayeenom de Zoe comme

etant

le

Mais

cette

opinionde nos cotes.

d'observationsassez

precisesjeune du crabe
n'est

pas

pour entrainer

laconviction."
It is remarkable that this distinguished naturalist's ulti-

mate convictions were derived from his own observation;and it is difficult to account for such a discrepancy when

we consider the high character of the dissentient, and themeans which were placed in his hands for determining thequestion ; for in consequence of the interest which it excited amongst the scientific men of France, Dr. Milne

Edwards was deputed with another naturalist, torepairto the Isle de Rhe for the express purpose of settling the

disputed point, and he arrived, as we learn, at the conclusion above stated.
some length, on account of that gentleman's deserved eminence as a profoundentomologist, and because I believe that he has never publishedof the opinions stated in his paper.

I

any recantation

have, however, before me, a letter from

him to myself, dated Sept., 1(344, in which the following passage occurs, showing" I be-that his convictions on thissubject

had undergone a material change

lieve it will turn out,
following thenormal rule of development of the embryo,that at a certain period all the:

Decapods are Zoeee, and that some are born (i. c.

escape from the egg) in that state, but that others are not born until a late
pci icd of*development, that is, when the true legs and claws are disengaged."
P. 19!5.

INTRODUCTION.

xlvii

Subsequently to the researches above-mentioned, the lateof the shore
Capt. Du Cane investigated the development
crab, Carcinus Manas, and of the Ditch Prawn, Palcmon
varians, with complete success ; establishing in each ofthese forms the truth of Mr. Thompson's position.

Mr.

H. Goodsir also examined, with similar results, the former

But by far the most complete illustration of thespecies.

and the most extensive proofs of the generallaw, are afforded by the researches of my friend, Mr.
subject

Richard Q. Couch, of Penzance, who, dissatisfied withand contradiction of former testimony,

the uncertainty

resolved to investigate the matter for himself; and thishe effected with a degree of acumen and perseverance
which characterise all his researches, and by which theof thetruth

doctrine

is

fully

established,

the genera Cancer, Zantho, Pilumnus,asregards

Carcinus, Por-

Maia, Gahithea, Homarns, and Palia goodly number to have been investigated bytitnm, Polybiits,nurus

one observer

and of some of these he watched every

These results were published in two Memoirs,change.

Cornwall Polytechnic Society in 18-13; inwhich the author takes a clear and fair view of the whole
read to thesubject, and comes to his decision

with a host of evidence

sufficient to set the substantive question entirely at rest.

Unfortunately, the useful local publication in which these

memoirs appeared, is so much confined in its circulation
that

it

has probably fallen

into

the handsof but few

naturalists.
I have felt it desirable to give amore extended historyof the discovery, as, with the exception of Mr. R. Couch's
first

memoir just referred to, no such digest has ever beenplacedatone view before the world.

I

now proceed toINTHODUCTION.

xlviiiexamine the actual results, and to endeavour to reduce thefacts already known to some order.
It will be inferred from the previous account, that there

are considerable variations in the character of the meta-morphosis of different families, and that in the case of
Astacus Jluviatilis, there appears at present to exist evenan abrupt and isolated exception to the general law. As
such exception

this is the only case at present in which

has been established, I refer my readers for further information on thishimself,'*

subject to the workof Mr. Rathke

which constitutes one of the most complete

and elaborate monographs in existence, illustrated in
the most beautiful and perfect manner; and to the
full

and

Edwards

satisfactory
in

the

first

of

the

volume ofhisanalysis

work by Milne"

History of the

Crustacea."

Eliminating, therefore, this exceptional case, it will befound that the fact of a metamorphosis has been demonstrated with more or less success in

no less than seven-teen genera of the Brachyurous order of the Decapoda
in which order the

obviousphenomenon is most decided andbelonging to the families LeptopodiadaB,MaiadcB,

CanceridtE, Portunida, Pinnotheridas, Grapsida?, and Gecarcinidff.

In the Anomourous order, it has been shown

the genera Pagurus, Porccllana, and Galatltea, andinamongst the Macroura in Homarus, Pali minis, Palemon,and Crangon.

The facilities which everywhere exist for procuring
the common shore crab, Carcinus Ma-iias, have occa*

Untcrsiichengen neber die Bildung und Entwickeberg des FIusskrebses,vonlleiiiricli

Rathke.

Folio.

Leipzig.

18 _'!).

INTRODUCTION.

xlix

sionecl it to be more fully investigated than any other;and it may, therefore, be taken as the type of the process

amongst the Brachyura.
which the Megalopoid

Thompson ;*it

Thus it wastheperiod wasobserved by Mr.

form infirst

was four years afterwards described in its

zoeform state by Capt. du Cane, who, it appears, was notacquainted with Mr. Thompson's paper;it

has occupied

the attention of Mr. H. Goodsir; and it forms the subject

Mr. R. Couch's elaborate and very completeofTo the latter of these, as embodying all thatsearches.
isre-at present

known onthe subject, andbeing theasresult of the personal observation of so intelligent

acute an observer,

andhave recourse for the generalIn the firstdescription of this process in the Brachyura.
I

shall

place it appears that Mr. Couch met with the young Zoes

already hatched; and even then he had the satisfaction offinding them pass into the Megalopoid condition describedby Thompson.
specimens of

Afterwards, however, he procured somethe crab itself laden with ripe ova, justready for shedding;and he thenaccount of his observations:" These were transferred torate basins,

sixteenproceeds with thecaptivity, placed in sepa-

and supplied with sea water, and

hours

I

had thegratification

numbers of the creatures alluded

toabout with all the activity of young life.
but

littleresult,about

above,

swimming

There could be

doubt that these creatures were the young ofIn order, however, to secure accuracy

the captive crabs.

ofinof finding large

one of the crabs was removed

toanothervessel, and supplied with filtered water, that all insects
might be removed but in about an hour the same crea;* Phil.
Trans, ut supra.

dINTRODUCTION.

1

t

To

wove obsevved swimming about as before.

urcs

venderthe inattev,

if

possible,

move

still

some

cevtain,of the ova weve opened, and the embvyos extvacted; but

had the pleasuve of witnessing, beneath the micvoscope, the natuval buvsting and escapeshortly aftenvavds I

of one pvecisely similav in fovni to those found so abunFi s- c

dandy in the water. Thus,then, theve is no doubt

-

these

that

grotesque-looking cveatuves ave theyoung ofbut how

Manas;
vent

they

adult

the Carcinus

needdiffe-

fvom theavebehavdlypointed out any fuvthev
than by vefevving to
fig. (c}.

tlieWhen they fivst

escape they vavely exceed
half a line in length.

body

is

The

ovoid, the dovsal shield lavge and inflated, on

its

uppev edge and about the middle is a long spine, cuvved
posteriovly and vathev longev than the diameter of theitbody, thoughitisand the blood may be seen circulating

hollow,

throughit.

The uppev

gveen, and thelavge,

sessile,varies in length in different specimens ;portionof the bodylower semi-transparent.

and situatedinfront,isThe eyesisextended, longer than the

and

is

composed

The

waved, and at its posterior

and lateral margin, is a pair of natatory feet.
isave

and the circum-

ference of the pupil marked with radiating lines.

lower margin of the shieldsap-

diameter of the

The tailshield,of five equal annulations, beside theINTRODUCTION.
terminal one;its

extremityisliforked,and the externalangles long, slender, pointed, and attachedannulation by joints.

to

the

last

Between the external angles, andon each side of the median line, are three lesser spines,

Betweenattached to the last ring by joints.

also

the

eyes, and from near the edge of the shield, hangs a long,stout, and somewhat compressed appendage, which, as theanimal moves, is reflexed posteriorly between the claws.
Under each eye there is also another appendage, shorter,and slightly more compressed.

The claws are in threeeach is composed of three joints, and terminates inpairs ;

four long, slender, hair-like appendages.

These claws are

fromgenerally bent on the body, but stand in reliefit.

margin of thebe found to be waved into three semi-

If the animal be viewed in front, the lower

dorsal shield will

circular festoons, the two external of which are occupiedby the eyes, and between which the middle one
venes

be

at

;

inter-

the general direction of the claws will be seen toright angles to the body.

closed within the

As the young lies en-

membranes of theegg, the claws arefolded on each other, and the tail is flexed on them so far

margin of the shield, and, if long enough, is reflected over the front of the shield between the eyes.
as theThe dorsal spine is bent backwards, and lies in contact
with the dorsal shield; for the young, when it escapesfrom the egg, is quite
solidifies

soft,

but

it

rapidly hardens

andby the deposition of calcareous matter, in what

may be called its skin. The progress of this solidification may be very beautifully observed by watching thecirculation in the dorsal spine.

When the creature has

blood glojust effected its liberation from the egg, thebules

may be seen ascending to

the

apex

;

but as thed 2INTRODUCTION.

lii

consolidation

advances, thecirculationand more limited in its extent, andto the base.

These minuteisbecomes move
finally confinedcreatures, in this early stateof their existence, are natatory, and wonderfully active.

swimming from one part of thevessel to the other, and when observed free in their native

They

are

continuallypools, if possible even more active than when in confine-

ment.

Their swimming is produced by continued flexions

and extensions of thetail,

and by repeated beating mo-

tions of their claws ; this, together with their grotesque-looking forms, gives them a most extraordinary appear-

ance when under examination.

As theshell

becomesFig. rf.

more solid they get lessactive,andretire to

the

sand

INTRODUCTION.
the bottom of theatacquire a new form.

tovessel,

liii

their

cast

and

shells,

They are exceedingly delicate, andrequire great care and attention to convey them through

the

first

unlessstage; forthewater besupplied veryfrequently and in great abundance, they soon die.

The

second form of transmutation is equally as remarkable as
the first, and quite as distinct from the adult animal (d).

In the species now under consideration this second transformation

is

the

spine ;

marked by the disappearance of the dorsal
becomes flatter and more depressed,

shieldthe anterior portion

more horizontal and pointed, thethree festoons having disappeared.
sessile, are

The eyes, from being

now elevated on footstalks;

the infra-orbital

appendages become apparently converted into antennae.

The claws undergo an entire

revolution;

the

first

pair

become stouter than the others, and are armed with a pairof nippers," the others being simple ; " but the posterior
pair are branched near the base, and one of the branches

ends in a bushy
inrelative

its

tuft.

size

The tail isgreatly diminishedand proportions, andpartially bent under the body, butisissometimes

more commonlyThis form is as natatory as the first. Theyfrequently found congregating around floating sea-

extended.
areweed, the buoys and strings of the crab pot marks, andotherfloating substances, both

deep water.

andnear the shore

in

Their general form somewhat resembles a

Galathea."

Every one will immediately recognise in this description, and in the figure which accompanies it, the creature
typifying the genus Megalopa of Dr. Leach.
isHere, then,the second form of a brachyurous type, andchangeisseen in the accompanying figure

its

(e).

final
It

is

INTRODUCTION.

liv

Fig. p.

unnecessary

tofollow out the minor distinctions in the
It is sufficient to state thatvarious brachyurous genera.

the investigations of Mr. Couch confirm fully the views ofThompson, by the establishment of a metamorphosisofsimilar character, as regards the first change, in the large

edible crab, Cancer Pagurus, in Portunus, and in severalof the Uaiache and Leptopotliada;. There are some minor
differences in the structure and form of the first stage ofthese as compared with that of Carcinus, but they do
not involve any important consideration. The curious
littlelarva of Pinnotheres I have figured at p. 125, after

Thompson, and as I have myself seen it.

Amongst the oxyrhynchous forms there are some rather
curious deviations from the type above
ticularly

in the absence, according todescribed, par-Mr. Couch's figuresbutgenus Maia, of the dorsal and frontal spines
arc foundthese, as I understand Kathke's description,in thein;the corresponding

Hi/as;

if

this

be

so,

of the neighbouring genus
shows that the existence or

stage
it

absence of these spines is of little importance.
In the Anomoura we have elaborate descriptions of theyoung stage of Pagiirnx, in the paper by Rathke alreadyreferred to, and in one by Dr. Philippi, with a figure.** Ann. of Nat. Hist.

vol. vi. p. <)2, pi.

iii. f.

7, 8.

INTRODUCTION.

Iv

If this figure be correct, we have a remarkable approachin the generalform of this species to that of some of thesmaller Macroura,asThompson andobserved by Mr.

Capt. Du Cane; but the details scarcely agree with thefull

and doubtless correct description of the former author.

The

researches of Mr. Rathke *

in

are,

fact,

of great

we have yet seen, tothe homologies of the members which exist in this earlyvalue, as affording the only clue

condition of the animal.

It

appears from this account,that the true feet are not represented

by the three pairsof locomotive organs which are observed

in

the

early

stage, but that these are in fact developed into the foot-

three

"

Embryos about to escape have only
pairs of members that can serve for locomotion.

jaws of the adult.

All thesesixmembers aretrue feet in a lower state
jaws.

Of

true

legs,

and

not, as might be

expected,of development, but the footalso

of branchiae, there does

not yet exist a trace."

It is not until a subsequent periodthat these organs areformed, and, in

fact,

the

whole

account of the development of the young Paguri, asby M. Rathke, is highly interesting, and would
given

be particularly useful as a guideto those observers

whomight have the opportunity of watching the whole progress of any of these animals from the egg to maturity.

The most remarkable form of the larva amongst the
Anomoura hitherto observed, and, indeed, one of themost anomalous in the whole Decapod group, is that ofPorcellana plafycheles, as described and figured by Mr.
R. Couch, in his second Memoir.

There is no appear-

ance of either dorsal or frontal spines, in which respectitagrees with the Macroura, as it does also in the com* Ann. of Nat. Hist. vol. vi.
p. 2C3.

INTRODUCTION.

Ivi

pressedcorselet,and thesessilelarge,

On

eyes.

its

escape from the egg (fig./'), the

first

Fig-/

two pairs, dichotomously

feet are in

branched and destitute of hairs ;
the

tail

the

comparatively short,terminal

flap

somewhatlozenge-shaped, and armed with long, slender, bristle-like appendages.

From

the anteriorpartof the carapace hangslender
filaments
which turn under the thorax.
two long,

In a few hours theexuviation takes place, and thefirstanimal appears under a different aspect(fig. g).

The

Fig. y.

branchial members are converted into two
Fig. h.

three -jointed
hairy

the

tufts

pairs of simple

tufted

are

feet.

The

appended onlyto

The terminal seg-last joint.

ment of the six-jointed tail (fig. //)isexpanded into a

gular

gin of which
pairs

the

surface,

of

long

is

large

quadran-inferior

fringed withslendermarsixfilaments.

INTRODUCTION.

But one of the most remarkable

Ivii

state

of

sivelylong

animalthespines,Twothecorseletand appears,

similarpeculiarities

existenceextending fromfilament

and in front of the

the

is

as

this is:part

posterior

thisexces-

above theeyesrough with minute

Mr. Couch says, to be hollow.

filaments, equally long,

of

of

an

of

the

corseletareattached

above

the

to
tail.

From the repeated and careful observations of Mr.
Couch there can be no doubt of their correctness, forthem repeatedly

he not only bredbut succeeded in
ova. *

infilteredwater,

extracting some from theartificially

The metamorphosis in the Macroura generally is lessstrongly

marked thanhitherto referred.

in those forms to which we haveOf these, the lobster, Homarus, thespiny lobster, Palinurus, the prawn, Palemon, and theshrimp, Crangon, have been more or less fully observed.
Mr. Brightwell did not consider the changes which heobserved in the lobster such as to warrant the applicationof the term metamorphosis ; but even Mr. Rathke himself,

whose researches

inthe river

species have offered the strongest

Fi g- *

arguments to the opponents of thisview, in

his

adduces

this,cies, asan attestation of the truth

subsequent

amongstMemoir,

other

spe-

of Mr. Thompson's theory. Mr. R.

Couch's figure
lobsteron

its(fig. i)exitof theyoung

from the egg

does not differ materially from that*

The larva of Galathea is figured at p. 203, in illustration of Mr. R. Couch's

description at the previous page.

INTRODUCTION.

Iviii

of Galalheasmd Palinurus, excepting that on the superiorrings of thethe latter are situated four pairs

in

tail

Upon this point Mr. Couchappendages (fig. j).

remarks.

sensiblefollowing" Thereisof

has thenot certainly thesame difference of configuration between the young andadult condition of these

Macroura), as

found

is

(the
to

be

the case with the short-tailed

the circumstance of thecrabs, simply fromextendedin

bothstates,nearer approach to eachmore apparent
is nearly as

this

being

show asimilarityiswide in one case as in the othershieldsessile character of thefilaments onchangeButother.

tailalsothan real, for the physiological difference

The form of theinand the claws

the

the

tail

and the body generally, theeyes, and the long and slenderin

Palinurus., undergo an entire

The

transformation.

shieldand body

become more depressed and elongated, the eyes beThe sessile
come elevated on stout footstalks," &c.
character of the eyes in the early stage of all the Po-

dopldhalma hitherto examined is a very remarkable andimportant character.

The changes in the smaller decapod Macroura, represented by

the genus Palemon, were

Mr. Thompson, and formed the

firstsubject

examined byof asecondpaper read before the Royal Society in 1836. This paper,
as well as that on Carci-nns before referred to, appears

not to have been

known to thelateCapt, du Cane, who

having amused the hours of a long illness by a numberof interesting investigations on subjects of Natural His-INTRODUCTION.

lix

papers to the Annals of Natural
To one ofHistory, on the Metamorphosis of Crustacea.

tovy, communicated two

on Carcinus Manas, I have already alluded ; the*contains a brief account of the transformation andotherthese,

development of the ditch prawn, Palemon varians, inand a stillfour stages, accompanied by excellent figures;

morecommon shrimp, Crangon vul-

one of theslightgaris, in its first stage only.

of thefirstof thestage

Igive that author's figure

prawn(fig. k),inwhich thelocomotive organs are pro-bably the homologues of the
foot-jaws, and the rudimentsof some of the true feet ap-

pear under the cephalo-tho-The eyes are wholly

rax.

there

sessile ;

not

is

the

appearance of aband theslightest

dominal members
simplespatulate

the

is

tail

;

form

remarkably

of
dif-

ferent from the highly de-velopedandstructureof thatcomplicated
organ

in

the adult.

The two following figures
exhibit two successive statesof theyoung animal,

gra-

duallyapproaching

more

and more to the adult condition.

In Fig /,*isseen one of the serratures

Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. ii. p. 178, pi. vi. and vii.

of theINTRODUCTION.

Ix

Fig. /.

carapace, the rostrum
Fig. m.

is

produced, the important change
in the eyes from thesessileculateto the pedunform has now

taken place, the true

become

have

i'eet

evolved,developed,

and rudimentary abdominal members areperceived, and in

fig.

these develop-m,ments are far more adallvanced, and the animal

has nearly approached
its final state.

Such is, as far as it
appeared to me necessary to detailstateof ourit,thepresent

knowledge of this very
interesting phase in theeconomy of this classofanimals.

I

haveentered more into de-INTRODUCTION.
tail

in

the

of

history

the

Ixi

in

discovery,

justice to those whose originalorder todoand independent observa-

tions led them to break through the trammels of precon-

ceivedand,notions,

notwithstandingmuch

oppositionand some misrepresentation, persevered in prosecuting
the investigation until the truth of the doctrine has been
universally received.*
It has not been

my object, in the present Introduction,

to enter into the details of the anatomy and physiology of

the class of animals of which it treats.

It

has been con-sidered sufficient for my present purpose to offer a veryslight sketch of the principal organs*

and their functions,

During the passage of part of this introduction through the press, I received
my friend Mr. Couch, containing some new observations

a communication fromon the development of the lobster.

From these observations, and others madeon Caprella and other forms, Mr. Couch comesto thefollowing

conclusions,which are strongly confirmatory of the doctrine of arrested development, andare, in that point of view,

very interesting.

The original paper was read at

the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.

"

So far as my observation has extended, it appears probable that the metais not universal in allmorphosis of the young in their progress to adult growth
Crustaceans ; but, on the contrary, that the families in which the eyes are always
sessile in their adult growth, and which

do not exuviate or voluntarily throw off

their limbs, are in the habit of producing their young perfectly formed ;opportunity that has occurred toand anme of observing the process of early develop-

ment in the common lobster will tend to establish the existence of a law of
Nature as applicable not only to it, but probably also
extensive family or classthatto all theis, the long-tailed Crustacea

genera of thiswhich law is, thatthe greatest extent of metamorphosis is in those genera which are of the highest

rank in the series

that

the long-tailed genera

form of the parent;

andis, theshort-tailed, or crabs

as the lobster

that, even at their birth,

approach moreclosely to the ultimate

what is still more extraordinary than all besidethat

so long as the lobster in particular, retains the eyes sessile, the progress of develop-

mode ofof thegrowthment and growth is conformed to what is the perpetualthe crust has become fully
permanently sessile-eyed races ; and it is only when
extended and hardened, and thus the exuviation is rendered necessary, that theeyes

become elevated on footstalks, and the adult form and habit are completely

established."

INTRODUCTION.

Ixii

with reference, on the one hand, to the characters which
are given of the different genera and species, in the bodyof the work, and, on the other, to their habits and

For those who seek for further information, Iof life.

beg

to referto thefessor Rymer Jones's
to

mode

Professor

Outline of the Animal Kingdom,"

Owen's admirable lectures on the Inver-

Dr. Milnetotebrata,

excellent digest contained in Pro"

Edwards's

article

CRUSTACEA in"

and
Cyclopedia of Anatomy and Physiology,"
authorsameoftheabove all, to the great general work
Dr. Todd's

on the natural history of this class of animals.*

In theandintroductory portion of that invaluable book,incontained
differentofthegroupsgeneral descriptionof the work, will be found an immense fund of
thein thebody

information, great partof whichisoriginal

and based

upon the actual dissection and observation of that distinandguished naturalist, and of his no less talented friend
coadjutor, Mons. Audouin.

My obligations to this un-rivalled monograph will appear in every page of this little

work, and demand my warmest acknowledgments.
* Histoire Naturelle desCrustaces, tom. iii.

Paris, 1834.

INDEX.
[The systematic names, including the Latin synonyms, are printed in Italics.]

A.

Cancer denticulytus, 7'2.

Cranchii, 10.

Depurator, 101.
diyitatus, 351.

Alauna roslruta, 330.

Dorsettensis, 13.

Alliunea dentata, 159.

Dromia, 369.

Alpheus Caramote, 318.
rtibcr, 27 .

floridus, 51.
fluviatilis,

1,,

Jiirtellus, 68.

..
SpimiS) 284.
Aitacus Bamfficus, '208.

BernJiardus, ] 7 1

korridtts, 165.
.

Orangon, 256.
237.
Homarus, 213.
marinus, 242.

fluviatilis,

.,

.,

237.

Gammarus, 242.

sivado, 312.

hydropMlus, 54.
inciso-serratus, 59.
tncisus, 51.
latipes,85.

longicornis, 193.

nitescens, 26 1 .

Mca, 39, 165.

Norvegiffus, 251.

minutiis, 135.

serrattts,

302.
]

Sfjuamifer,

97.

Squilla, 305.

striyosm, 200.
stellatus, 223.

siibterraneus, 217.

Atelecyclus heterodoii, 153.
sf.ptemdciitatus, 153.

Atlianas niiescens, 261.
AJ./IIS stirynchus,

228.

IMcenas, 76.

Norvefficus, 251.
Faff urns, 59.

Phalangium, 2.
Pisum, 121.
Platycfieles, 190.

puber, 90.
rostra (us, 2.

Scorpio, 13.
S2)inus, 2fi4.

&///, 202, 305.
B.

SquinadO) 39.
atrigosiis, 200.

B/astus tetraodon, 22.
Botlotria arenosa, 333.
C.

tetraodon, 22.
tuberosuS) 141.

tumefactns, 145.
oelutinus, 90.

Carcinus JMte/uts, 76.
Callianas&a subterranea, 217.
Calocaris Macandrete, 233.
Cancellus murinus, 135.

Cancer angulatus, 130.
.,aruneus, 31.
aspe.r, 46.
Antaeus, 237.

,,

Crab, angular, 1 30.
circular, 153.
,,
floating, 135.
great, 59._
harbour, 77.

Bamfficus, 208.
Bernhardus, 171.

masked, 159.

blaculeutus, 27.

Crangon bispinosus, 261f.
catapf/ractus, 26/?/b, 31.
,.

Corystes Cassirelaimus, 159.
dentatus, 159.

Cassivelaunus, 159.
con'iigatiis, 94.

shore, 77.
1 .

fasciatus, 259.
sculpluSj

263.

1

INDEX.

Ixiv

Hippolyte varians, 286.
Hippolyte, varying, 286.
Homarus vulgaris, 242.
araneus, 31.
courctutus, 35.

Cnt/it/on spinoifiis, 261.

trispinosus, 265.

vulgaris, 25C.

Cray-fish, common, 'I'.'il.

Cuma Auduuinii, 328.
Edmirdsii,.'>'-?(>.

trispinosa, 329.

Cynthia Fleminyii, 379.

InacJms araneus, 31.
Dorsettensis, 13.

D.

Doryncltus,

16.

Icptochirus, 18.
PJtalangium, 2.

Dromia RumpJiii, 369.
vulgaris, 369.

Scorpio, 13.

E.
L.

Elalia Brycrii, 145.
Cranchii, 148.
Pcnnantii, 141.
Eurynomc aspera, 46.

Leptopodia tenuirostris, 6.
Lithodes Maia, 165.

Lobster, common, 242.

spinosa, 46.

Norway, 251.

G.

M.
GaJatJiea Bamffia, 208.

Galathea, Embleton's, 204.
GalatJiea nexa, 204.
rugosa, 208.

Macropodm longirosfris, 6.
Phalangium, 2.
Scorpio, 13.

Galathea, scaly, 197.
(iiil-ithea sfntdgcra, 200.
Galathea, spinous, 200.

tenuirostris, 6.

Macropus longirostris, 6.
Phalangium, 2.

Galaihea squamifera, 197.
strigosa, 200.
diitura, 225.
<Y< /</<( stel/atit, 223.

Maia aranea, 31.
Sfjuinado, 39.
tetraodon, 22.

Mantis digitatus, 351.
Munida, long-armed, 208.

Gi'/asimiis Bi'llii, 130.

Gonoplax angulatus,

1 30.

Munida Rondeletii, 208.

bispinosuS) 130.

mgosa, 208.

rhomboides, 130.
Grapsus cinereus, 1 35.
minutus, 135.

JMysis Chamieleo//, 336.
Griffithsite,roslrutus, 342.
sphtulosus, 336.
ridgaris, 339.

H.
Hermit-crab, blue-banded, 375.
common, 171
Prideaux's, 175.
rough-clawed, 186.
smooth, 184.
Hippo, septemdentata, 153.
Hippolyte Crcmchii, 288.
Hippolyte, Cranch's, 288.
Moorii, 292.
Pundaliformis, 294.
Prideauxiana, 292.
Hippolyte, Prideaux's, 292.
//i/ifin/i/te Soiverbcei, 284.
i|i]>olyte, Sowerby's, 284.

N.

.

1

1

l/ij>jni/j/t<!

342.

Lcachii, 336.

Testudinum, 135.

Nautilograpsiis minutus,

135.

\< l>1irops Norvegicus, 251.
A'z/icanaliculata, 275.

Coac/wV, 278.
cdulis, 275.

O.

Oeypoda angulata, 1 30.
P.

Spinus, '284.
T/iompsoni, 290.

liippolyto, Thompson's, 290.

1'iHjnrus BeruJtitrdtts, 171.

Cuanensis, 178.

INDEX.
Pagurus Dittwynii) 377.
,,

fasciatus, 375.
Forbesii, 1 86.

Ixv

Portunus,lonyipes, 361.
macttlalus, 112.
,,
marmoreus, 105.

Hyndmanni, 1 82.

Mcenas, 76.

184.

plicatus, 101.

fere's,Pridcuuxii, 175.

puber, 90.

streblonyx, 171.

pusillus, 112.

Thompsons, 372.
ulidianus, 180.

Pal&mon Leacld, 307.
261.
scrratus, 302.
302, 305.
varians, 309.
Falinurus Homarus, 213.
quadricorniS) 213.
vulgaris, 213.
Pandalus annulicornis, 297.
PasipJitfa brevirostris, 312.
Samgnii, 312.
,,
Sivado, 312.
nitescens,

Rondeletii, 97.

Prawn, 303.
Proccssa canalicula/a, 275.
edidis, 275.

#/#,

Pea-crab, Pinna, 126'.
common, 121.
PetKEus Caramotc, 318.

S.

Shrimp, banded, 259.
common, 256.
sculptured, 263.
spinous, 261.
three-spined, 265.
two-spined, 268.
Spider-crab, Cranch's, 11.
four-horned, 22.

Gibbs's, 27.
long-legged, 2.
Scorpion, 13.

trisulcatus, 318.

Planes Linnteana, 135.
Platycarcinus Pagurus, 159.
Pilumnus Jtirtellus, 68.
Pinnotheres Cranchii, 121.
Latreiltii, 121.

Montagui, 126.
Pinna. , 126.
Pisum, 121.
varians, 121.
Veterum, 126.

Pirimela dcnticulata, 72.

/Jwa biacwleata, 27.
Gz66sM, 27.
tetraodon, 22.

slender, 6.

slender-legged, 19.

spinous, 39.

Spiny-lobster, common, 213.
Squilla Desmarcstii, 354.

Mantis, 351.
Stenoryncltus longirostris, 6.

Phalangium, 2.
tenuirostris, 6.

Stone-crab, northern, 1 65.
Swimming-crab, arched, 97.
cleanser, 101.
99
dwarf, 112.
99

Henslow's, 116.

Pisidia longicornis, 193.

livid,

Platyonicus latipes, 85.
Polybius Hvnslowii, 116.
Potitophilus bispinosus, 268.
spinosus, 261.
trispinosus, 265.
Porcelain-crab, hairy, 190.
minute, 193.
Porcellana Leachii, 1 93.
longicomis, 193.

55

109.

long-legged, 361.
marbled, 105.

55

velvet, 90.

55

wrinkled, 94,

T.
Tltemisto brevispinosa, 384.

platycheles, 190.

lonf/ispinosa, 381.

Portumnus varieyatus, 85.

Tkiapolita, 365.
TJiysanopoda Coucldi, 346.

Portunus arcmitus, 97.
,,

corruyatus, 94.

,,

Depurutor, 101.

Dulyellii, 361.

emarginatus, 97.
holsatus, 109.

361.
/iwdws, 109.
itifractus,

X.

Xantho florida, 51.
,,

inciso-serrata, 51.

,,

rivulosa, 54.

,,

tuberculata, 359.

BRITISH CRUSTACEA.
DECAPODA.

LEPTOPODIADsE.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS STENORYNCHUS, LAMARCK.
Linn. Penn. Herbet.

CANCER,
INACHUS,

Fabr.

MAIA,

Bosc.

MACROPUS,
MACROPODIA,STENORYNCHUS,

Leach.

Latr.

Lamk. Edwards.

External antennce setaceous, the basal joint

Generic character.

*
inserted close to the side of the rostrum, very
narrow, the second

short ; thethird,

three

times as long as the former.

External

pedipalps narrow, the second joint considerably produced internallyat its apex; the third joint oval.

Anterior feet shorter, and muchlarger (in the male) than the succeeding ones ; equal ; thesomewhat ventricose;

the fingers slightly inflected.

hand

The remaining

pairs very long and slender, diminishing in length from the second
to the fifth;

the nails of the second and third pairs long, slender,and curved only at the apex;

those of the fourth and fifth shorter,

curved at the base and somewhat falciform.

Eyes not retractile,larger than their peduncles, oval, pointed at the apex and setigerous.

Carapace triangularrostrum taper and;Abdomenbifid.

six-jointed, the terminal portion being formed by the union of thesixth and seventh joints.
* Leach calls this the

firstjoint of the antennae, as he does not reckon thebasal joint, which is fixed, and, as

itwere, soldered to the parts contiguous, as inmost of the higher forms of Crustacea.

B

LEPTOPODIAD/E.

LEPTOPOD1ADM.

DECAPODA.
BRACHYURA.

LONG-LEGGED SPIDER-CRAB.
Stenorynchus Phalangium.
Rostrum shorter than the peduncle of the antenna; ; a single
Specific character.
minute spine on the epistome, close to the auditory cavity no spine behind thebase of the antenna; ; arms slightly scabrous, without spines.
;

Cancer rosfratus,

Phalamjium,
InacJius

LIN. Faun. Suec.

HERBST. t. xvi. f. 90.

PENN. IV. t. is. f. xvii.
FABR. Supp. p. 358.

Macropus

LATR. Hist. Nat. Crust. VI., p. 110.

Macropodia

LEACH, Tr. Linn.
t.

Stenorynchusxxiii.

f.

Soc., XL, p. 331, Malac.

Brit.

(i.

ED\V. Hist. Crust. I. p. 2/f).

THE general form of the carapace in this species is thatof an acute angled
li

lias

triangle, rounded at the posterior angles,

several rather prominent spines;

one on each he-LONG-LEGGED SPIDER-CRAB.

0>patic region, forming, with one on the gastric region, an

two small ones on eachequilateral triangle ; there are

branchial region, and one, the largest of all, on the cardiac ;two smaller ones near the latero-

there are also oneoranterior

The rostrum

margin.

of moderateislength,scarcely reaching to the middle of the third joint of thepeduncle of the antenna? ;has a groove throughit

The ex-whole length, reaching to the back of the orbit.
ternal antennae are longits

and setaceous, and furnished withseveral long hairs ; the basal jointisnarrow, entirely im-

moveable, and continuous with the epistome;

the move-able part of the peduncle consists of two joints, of which

the second is three times as long as the first.

antennae are lodged infossa?,

each other by a ridge, which

The internal

which are separated fromisincomplete at the middle.

The eyes are oval, larger than their peduncles, and pointed
at the apex, where there

are round, and thereThemargin.

isisa small bristle.*

The orbits

a prominent ridge over the upper

epistome, or that portion of the shell be-

tween the mouth and the base of the antennae, has a very
minute tubercle, justin front of theorgan of hearing, but

none at the base of the antenna?, as in

St. tenuirostris.^'The first pair of legs in the male are about twice as longas the

body

;

the

arm has a line of minute tubercles on

the outer, and another on the inferior surface, which parts
are also hairy ; but there are no spines on its inner margin,
as in St.

thetenuirostris :

the

wrist

hand is somewhat ventricose;

issimilarly furnished

it

is

:

hairy both on theouter and inner margin ; the fingers are slightly inflected ;the moveable one is furnished with a tubercle near its base,* This curious
appendage I have never seen mentioned as appertaining to thisgenus.
"(-

This second tubercle is also found in a Mediterranean species St.
n

/T.i
'_'

LEPTOPODIADvE.

and there, is a corresponding excavation

the other.

inIn

the female these feet are altogether much smaller than in

The remaining pairs are very slender and filiform ; the second pair is three times and a half the length
the male.

of the post-rostral part of the body, and they diminish
regularly to the last pairandthird pairs are slender,

extremity

;

:

the

claws of the second andcurved towards theslightly

those of the fourth andfifth

are shorter, andsomewhat falcate, being curved more abruptly near the
The abdomen in both sexes has six joints, the sixthbase.
and seventh being united into one piece.
isThat of the malebroadest at the base, and again at the union of the thirdand fourth joints, and terminatesin

an obtuse triangle:

The abdomen ofmuch curved the tubercles

each joint is furnished with a tubercle.
the female is very broad, and:pass into a continuous obtuse carina on the three or four
last joints.

These characters belong for the most part to both thespecies, excepting where the contrary has been stated;the specific difference with those exceptions being rather
inthe degree of development than in the existence, or non-existence of parts.

one of the most common species of the Triangular Crabs, being found in considerable numbers on most

This

is

parts of the coast.
coast of Cornwall,I

have obtaineditfrom Wales, theDevonshire, Dorsetshire, and Sussex,

from Scarborough, and from Orkney. It is also not uncommon on the coast of Ireland. Dr. Leach mentions its
being particularly common at the mouths of rivers, and inestuaries ; but I have foundhaving often dredged
crab and lobster pots.

ititin very different localities,

deep water, and taken it in
Mr. Hailstone states that " it isinvery common at Hastings, both among the rocks on the

LONG-LEGGED SPIDER-CRAB.
shore,

andindeep water, andthe trawl-net in vast numbers.

is5

occasionally caughtin

Of sixty-eight specimens

brought up at once, the proportion of males to females wasas

two to one.

11

Like all the species of the family it

slow, sluggish, and timid.

Itisgenerally has small fuci

and I have someespecially on the legs
times seen the body completely covered and concealed by

growing on

it,;a mass of sponge.

When taken it moves with very little

energy, and speedily dies after being taken out of thewater.
Its slow and sluggish habits render it aneasy preyto

many fishes;

Mr. W. Thompson

says,

" On

opening athornback, Raia clavata, about twenty inches in length, I
filled with
Macropodia PJia-

found the stomach entirely

It deposits its spawn during theearly spring months.

L\6

LEFfOPODIAlXE.

LEPTOPODIADM.

DECAPOD A.
BRACHYVRA.

SLENDER SPIDER-CRAB.
Stenorynclms tenuirostris.
Specific character.

Rostrum longer than the peduncle of the external antennae,

its two portions being in contact throughout their whole length;

two minute spines

on the epistome, one close to the organ of hearing and another at the base of theexternal antennae ; arms spinulose at the inner margin.

Macrapus lonyirostris 1

LEACH, Edinb. Enc. VII., p 431.
LATR. Hist. Nat. des Crust. VIII., p. 110.

Macropodia

Risso. Hist. Nat. de PEur. Mend. V., p. '27.

Leptopodia ten u irostris,

tenuirostris,

LEACH, Trans. Linn.
Brit. t.

V. Hiii

Soc. XI. p. 331.

Malac.

XXIII. f. 1-5.

EDW. Hist.

Crust. I. p. 280.

COUCH, Cornish

Fauna, p. <54.

THIS decant species may be readily distinguished fromthe former by the long- attenuated rostrum, by the existenceof a small spine on the cpistome, immediately behind theSLENDER SPIDER-CRAB.

7

and by abasal joint of the external antennae,

more elongated,

altogether

other

in

but,

respects,

series of

The body isminute spines on the inner part of the arm.

and the spines more acnte

the

are

characters;thenearlysame.
" I

first observed thisspecies," says Dr. Leach,"amongstsome Crustacea collected at Torquay, in Southern Devon, by

Hooker;tant ofall

and havesince foundita very common inhabi-

the deep water off the coast of that country,'

especially in theSound of Plymouth.

1 1

Mr. Couchstatesitto be very common in Cornwall, at the depth of from twototwenty fathoms

listof the Crustacea of Berwickshire and North Durham.

It doestaken;

and Mr. Embleton includes it

not appear to have been taken in Ireland.
itinprawn pots

at Bognor,

in hisI

haveand by dredging

inStudland Bay in Dorsetshire.
I

have appended a note of doubt to the synonyms of

the Mediterranean

species,Macropus longirostris,

hitherto considered as identical with this, as I
inclined to believe they may be distinct.

supposition

ownI

Latr.,

am mucham led to thisby a careful examination of specimens of myon our coast, with some which I had

collection

received from Sicily, and from theI find that

on

all

Bay of Naples, andthose brought from the Mediterranean,

the body is proportionally longer ; the rostrum also longer

and more slender, reaching very much beyond the peduncleof the antennae.

By measurement I find that, in the Mediter-

ranean specimens, the length of the carapace, including therostrum, is to its breadth, at the widest part, as five to two ;whereas, in the British, it is not quite twice as long as broad.

The two portions of the rostrum in the former are a little
separated throughout almost their whole length, and eachisperfectly round ;whereas, in the British specimens, they

LEPTOPODIADJE.
are entirely in contact,

and flattened above and beneath.

There arc a few other differences principally proportional,
but these are the most considerable.
These may be mere
accidental variations, but I thinkthey indicate a specific distinction.

it

not improbable that

DECAPOD A.

LEPTOrODIAD/E.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS ACHrEUS, LEACH.
Leach, Latr. Edwards.

ACH^EUS,

Generic character.
first

External antennae, remote, setaceous, thearticulation united to

the front, and extending beyond theinner canthus of the orbits ; the second articulation inserted at thesideof the rostrum,and entirely exposed from above, and, withthe third, much thicker than the subsequent ones.

External pedithanmuchthearticulation
withsecondbroad, andlongerpalps,
produced at the interior and anterior angles, the third subtriangularwith the angles rounded.
short, rather slender;

The first pair offeet (in the female)the second and third pairs having the ter-minal joint long and styliform;that of the fourth and fifth com-pressed, abruptly curved, and falciform.

Carapace somewhat

tri-angular, slightly spinous, the branchial regions elevated and swollen.

Rostrum extremely

small, bifid.

Eyes notretractile,

placed on

furnished with a single tubercle
long footstalks of equal size, andon the fore-part.

Abdomen six-jointed in both sexes.

This genus, of which one species only is at present
known, is considered by Dr. Leach as intermediate between

and by Milne Edbetween
wards it is placed
Stenorynchus (Macropodia Le.)
Inaclius and Leptopodia [Macropodia],

Its relation to Eurypodius is also proand Camposcia.
bable from the character of the feet, whilst the structure of

the eyes and some other points appear to indicate an ap-

proach to some of the Mawda.

10l.lil'TOl'OUIAIXK.

LEPTOPODIA DJE.

DECAPODA.
URACIIYURA.

CRANCITS SPIDER-CRAB.
Achfcus Cranchii.
Specific diameter.

"in theCarapace, with two tubercles

with two elevated lines between the eyes."

Acliams Cntnchii,

Leach.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. XXII. C. Ed. 2.
IV. p. 04.

medianline,

andLEACH.
LATR. Reg. Anim.

EDW. Hist. Crust. I. p. 281.

THE

carapace of this interesting species, is triangular,
contracted behind the orbits, then enlarged into a promi-

nent point or tubercle, then again contracted, and finallyenlarged and rounded at the sides of the branchial regions.

Twoconspicuous elevations, or

tubercles,

occur

on themedian line, with an inconspicuous one between them
the branchial regions arc elevated

trum

is

and

The ros-

and rounded.

extremely small and bifid, as broad as

;

it

is

long.

The orbits are small and open above, and the eyes exposedalmost to the insertion of the peduncles, which are long,
cylindrical,

furnished with a small rounded tubercle on theanterior part, about the middle of its length, and standing
directly

outwards;

notretractile.

The antenna? and the11

CRANCH'S SPIDER CRAB.
feet are very hairy.

The hands are carinated longitudinally.

The abdomen in the female (and,The epistome is quadrate.
according to Dr.

Milne Edwards, in the malealso,) is six-

expanded towards thewhole length. The
posterior part, and carinated through its
In the former it

jointed.

is

oval,

carapace is about six lines in length.
Colour, pale reddish brown.

Of the occurrence of this beautiful little species on ourcoasts, we have, I believe, only two recorded instances.
In the " Malacostraca Podophthalma Britannia?,'" Dr. Leachmade it known as having been discovered by Mr.
Cranch in dredging off Falmouth. This single specimen, afirstfemale,is

now in the

BritishMuseum.

The second ex-

ample is thus stated by Mr. W. Thompson in his catalogueof the Crustacea of Ireland.

" In the collection of Crustacea

formed by Mr. J, V. Thompson, and now in the possessionof the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, is a native speci-

men of this crab, which we may presume was obtained on
This is the sum of the information
the Southern coast."
we have respecting this species as indigenous to this country.
Dr. Milne Edwards gives as its habitat on the French" I'embouchure de laRanee, pres Saint-Malo." Of
coast,
its habits nothingwhatever is recorded, beyond the remarkof Dr. Edwards, thatovster-beds.

it

lives

amongst sea-weeds and on

LEPTOPODIADM.

DECAPODA.
BRACHYURA.

GENUS INACHUS, FABR.
Pennant, Herbst.

CANCER,
INACHUS,

Fabr. Leach, Latr. Ed\v.
Latr.

MACUOPUS,
MAIA,

Generic character.

Bosc.

External antenna not more than one-filthof the length of the body ;the basal joint forming the inferior

margin of the orbit ; the second inserted by the side of the rostrum.
External pedipalps with the second joint much produced internally;the third joint elongate,somewhat triangular, theanterior

inner angle truncate at the insertion of the palp, which

three-

The anterior legs, in the male, twice as long as the body,

jointed.

the arms and the hands subovate, the fingers inflected.

maining pairs very long, diminishing in length
the fifth

is

and

;

second pair larger than the succeeding ones

joint long and slightly curved.

stalks, retractile or capable of being

and carinated.

;

the terminal

Carapace subtriangular, nearly as

broad as long, the rostrum short andthe posterior part of the orbit.

The re-from the second tobifid.

Eyes on short foot-bent backwards and lodged in

Abdomen in both sexes, six-jointed

SCORPION SPIDER-CRAB.

I)

ECA POD A.

LEPTOPODIAD/E.

BRACHYURA.

SCORPION SPIDER-CRAB.
Leach.

Inachus Dorsettensls.

Rostrum very short, emarginate the gastric region furwith four small tubercles ranged in a line transversely, and a larger one
behind them.
Specific character.

:nishc'dCancer Dorsettensi*,
Scnrpio,

PENN. Brit. Zool. IV. t. x. f. 1. p. 12.
FABR. Ent. Syst. II. p. 462. HERBST. I. p. 237. No.
ISO.

Afacropus

LATR. Hist. Nat. Crust. VI. p. 109.

Inacltus

FABR. Suppl. 358.
Hist. Crust.
p.

DorseUemis,

I

I.

DESM. Cons. t. xxiv. f. 1.
p.

208.

Enw.

COUCH, Cornish Fauna,

05.

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl.

Malac. Brit. t. xxii. f. 1-G.

HAVE found it necessary to restore to this species theoriginal

specific

name given

toitby Pennant, who firstdescribed it from specimens in the Portland Cabinet, taken

14

J.El'TOPODIAD.E.

at Wcymoutb, from which locality he designated

His work was published in 1777

Dorsettensis.

it;

Cancerand theEotomologia Systematica of Fabricius, in which it first reThe Fabceived the name of C. Scorpio, not until 1793.
ricianname has

Edwards, asitrecently been adopted by Dr. Milne
had previously been by Desmarest, probably

from some objection to the local origin of the former namehowever,

this,

is

;

quite admissible in the present instance,

as indicating the locality in whichit

was first discovered.

At all events, it is not more objectionable than the other.
The carapace of this species is triangular, rounded posteriorly,
bifid ;The rostrum

very short andthe orbits oval, so that the eyes, which are attachedandventricose.

isby their peduncles to the anterior portion of the orbit, canbe laid backwards into the posterior portion of that cavity ;a character which belongs to most of the genera of thetriangular or oxyrynchian families.

by aspine on theanterior,

The eyes are protected

and a stronger one on theposterior margin of the orbits, of whicli the upper margin
is also raised, and the inferior, formed by the basal joint of

the antenna?, slightly tuberculated.
are short;

The external antennre

the moveable portion not much exceeding twice

the length of the rostrum.

There are four small tubercles on

the anterior part of the carapace arranged transversely, andone

much larger behind them, on the centre of the gastric

two tubercles on each branchial region,
one at the anterior part and another rather larger on theregion; there are

centre ; there is also a conspicuous one on the cardiac region.

The external pedipalps are elongate, the second joint being

much produced anteriorly at the inner angle
which

is

;

and the third,

somewhat triangular, has the inner and anterior

angle truncated, for the articulation of the terminal portion,

which consists of three joints.

The anterior pair of legs in

15

SCORPION SPIDER-CRAB.

the male are thick and long, the joints of a somewhat oval
form, and the fingers considerably incurved.

Those of the

The remaining feetare very longfemale are very small.

and slender, the second pair being considerably more than
three times the length of the body, including the rostrum.

They are also much larger than the succeeding one, which
The abdomen

diminish in length and thickness to the last.

of the male is rather short and broad, the widest part being

union of the third and fourth joints ; that of the
In both sexes it is tuberculofemale is remarkably broad.
at thecarinated.

appear that this species is more widely distributed than had been supposed. Dr. Leach states that it
It wouldvery plentiful on the coast of Devon ; we have
Pennant's specimens were from Weymouth ; andseen that

is

I

ob-

Studland Bay, Dorsetshire, and at Hastings.
Mr. Couch states that in Cornwall it is commonly taken intaineditincrab pots, within a few miles of the shore, atand Mr. Eyton informs me thatbeds at Rhoscolyn, near

been found inmany placesit

Holyhead.
;in thealldepths ;found on the oyster-is

In Ireland

it

has

Harbour of Cove, by
11

Mr. J. V. Thompson. "It is pretty commonly taken," in theloughs of Strangford andsays Mr. W. Thompson,
Mr. Ball," adds Mr.
coast.
Belfast, and on the western

Thompson," finds

itin Dublin Bay."

It is also recordedthat Captain Beechey, R.N., brought up a specimen of thisthe dredge from a depth of one
species alive inand forty fathoms,

inthe Mull of Galloway.

extends far north, Fabricius having foundwegian Seas.

ithundredIts habitatin the

Nor-

16

I)

LEPTOPODIAPyE.

LEPTOPODIAD&.

ECA POD A.
BRACHYURA.

Inaclius Dorynckus.

Rostrum bifid, extending beyond the third joint of the pedun-Specific character.
cle of the antennae

Leach.

;and the third
gastric region with three spines, two anterior,much longer, forming a triangle.

Second pair of legs not more than three times

the total length of the body.

Tnaclms Dorynchus,

LEACH, Edinb. Enc. art. Crust, p. 431.
t.

xxii.

f.

7-8.

Id. Malac. Brit,

EDW. Hist. Crust, p. 288.

COUCH,

Cornish Fauna, p. 65.

THE general form of this species is very similar to the
The carapace is triangular,
former, but it is less globose.
The rostrum is short, somelonger than it is broad.
what hastiform, and in most slightly bifid although insome specimens the division is more considerable. The;

antenna?,

the

eyes,

and

orbits,as wellas theexternal

17

INACHUS DORYNCHUS.

pedipalps, are very similar to those of the former species.

The gastric region of the carapace has three spines, twosmall ones distant, and another much stronger placed farther back on the median line, and, with the others, formingatwo tubercles on each hepaticand the cardiac
placed as in the former species

triangle.

region,

There

are

;

region, instead of a spine, has only an elevation, on which

are three very small tubercles.

The sides of the shell are

The hands are smooth.

destitute of tubercles.

In otherrespects this species resembles the former.

The present species of Inachus was discovered by Dr.
Leach, as he informs" whilst

us,cleaning- a parcel of /.

Salcombe estuary for examination."
Mr. Couch states that it is commonly found in crab-pots

Dorsettensis from thein Cornwall.
I

Mr. Hailstone foundhave also obtained it.

Iitat Hastings, where

have taken it by the dredge

inStudland Bay, Dorsetshire, and at Bognor I found several
small specimens amongst the refuse of prawn and lobster
pots.

These were of a lighter colour than most whichhave observed from otherlocalities,

arisen from their being young.

but thismay

In Mr. Embleton's

I

have
list

the Crustacea of Berwickshire and North Durham,

it

of
is

stated to occur not uncommonly in Berwick and Embleton
It is found on the coast of Ireland, though rarely,
taken by Dr. Drummond in Belfast Bay.
been
havingBays.

This species, likeall

the others of the family,

liable to be covered with small fuci and sponges ;

is

very

hence, asDr. Leach has observed, in all probability arose

its having
been for so long a time undiscovered, having doubtless been

passed over as/. Dorsettensis;

itdoes not, however, atpresent appear to be so generally distributed as that species.

LEPTOPODIAP.K.

18

LEPTOPODIADJE.

DECAPODA.
BRACHYURA.

SLENDER-LEGGED SPIDER-CRAB.
Inachus leptochirus.
Specific cliaracter.

Leach.

Feet slender, anterior pair in the male extending beyond

the penultimate joint of the second pair.

Rostrum hastiform.

Sternuminthemale with a round polished tubercle.
Inachus leptochirus,

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. xxii. B.
(errore leptorincJius)

EDW. Hist. Crust. I. p. 289.

THE carapace in this species considerably resembles thatof /. Dorynchus.

It is triangular, considerably longer than

it is broad, much narrowed forwards;

the rostrum hasti-

form, bifid at the extremity, and with a slight groove ex-

There
the eyes.
tending from thence backwards between
is a strong spine on the gastric region, a very small tubercle on each hepatic, a spine on the latero-anterior margin,

19

SLENDER-LEGGED SPIDER-CRAB.

region, the posterior being theon
the genital region in a straight line
larger, and one
between the two larger ones on the branchial. The feet

two on each branchial

very long and slender. The hands in the adultmale are considerably longer than the carapace ; the fingers

are

all

curved.

The second pair of feet are three times the lengthof the carapace.

On the sternum, immediately in front of

the apex of the abdomen, when in its usual position applied
against the thorax, is a round or oval prominent and polished tubercle, of a greyish- white colour.

In the adult state thisis

British species of Inachus.

considerably the largest of theItisalso then readily distin-

as well as
guished from the others, by the general form,by the extraordinary length of all the legs, and especiallyby the form and length of the first pair. But in theyounger state all these characters are much less conspicuous, and it might almost be mistaken for /. Dorynchus,
but for the remarkable character of the round polishedtubercleon thehalf of a pearl.

thorax,which somew hat resembles theThispeculiar to the male, and cannot

is

r

fail

to strike us as offering a very obvious mark of relation

to

the

cicus,

Mediterranean species /. Thoraon the thorax of which there isa very curious development of a similar
hard shelly substance, in the form of abroad, three-lobed plate.

.

This formation is peculiar to thegenus Inachus, and, as far as

itisat present

known, tothe two species in question.

The Inaclms leptocMrus is extremely rare.
covered by theill-fated

It

was

dis-

Mr. Cranch on the western coastof Devon, or Cornwall, and was afterwards taken

by Mr.
In Mr. W.

Prideaux from a crab-pot in Bigbury Bay.
Thompson's "Additions to the Fauna of Ireland," is menc

'J

20

LEPTOPODIADJE.

tinned lt a specimen dredged in Clifton Bay, Connemara,

by Mr. Forbes and Mr. Hall, and another in Belfast Bay
11
The latter specimen, through tho
by Mr. Patterson.
kindness of Mr. Thompson, I have now before me.

young male.

It is aThe same gentleman subsequently states that

he had seen specimens from Belfast Bay " in the Ordnance11
collection.
This is the extent of our knowledge of thiscurious species.

Dr. Milne Edwards has misquoted Leach's specific name"asLeptorinclius" and this error has been copied by Mr.
Couch in his " Cornish Fauna.'"

DECA POD A.

I

/- 1

L-LDsE.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS PISA.
Penn. Herbs t, Montagu.

CANCER;
INACHUS,

Fabr. Ilisso.

MAIA,

Latr. Bosc.

PISA,

Leach, Desmar, Edwards.

External antennae beset with club-shaped

Generic character.
nairs; thebasal joint longer than broad, extending beyond theinner can thus of the orbit ; but concealed above by the strong spine

which proceeds from the upper margin of the orbit
theantennae rather slender, inserted alittle:second joint of

behind and on theExternal pedipalps very broad, theouter side of the rostrum.

second joint produced at the inner and anterior angle ; the third
the outer margin ; the anterior and innertriangular, very broad at
First pair offeet in the adult maleangle truncate or emarginate.
thesecondthanpair; the hand thick and thevery large, longer
at the outer
fingers meeting only

toothed;those of the female

margin of the points which aremuchsmaller,the fingers meetingthroughout nearly their whole length ; shorter than the second pair.

The remaining feet moderately long, diminishing
the second

to

the

fifth,

cylindrical,

theregularly fromterminal joint

naked at thepectinato-denticulated beneath,extremity.

curved,Eyesof being reflected in
scarcely thicker than their peduncles, capable

the orbits.

The

orbitsoval, directed

outwards and downwards;

their upper margin with a strong triangular spine directed forwards.

Carapace triangular, terminating in a strong bifid rostrum, divaricating at the extremity.

Abdomen seven-jointed in both sexes.

iMAl.VD.l-.

I'l

MAIADJE.

DECAPODA.
BRACHYVRA.

FOUR-HORNED SPIDER-CRAB.
Pisa tetraodon.

Leach.

Specific character,

Lateral margin with four spines, (exclusive of those aboveand behind the orbit.)

Posterior portion of the carapace rounded, without spines;

a small tubercle near the posterior margin.

Cancer tetraodon,

PENN, Brit. Zool. IV. t. viii. f. 2. p. 11.
LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII.

Maia

Bosc, Hist. Crust. I. 254.
p. 395.

Blastus

LEACH, 1. c. p. 431.
LEACH, Trans. Linn. Soc. XI. p. 328.

Pisa

Supp.

I.

p.

415.

Id.

Malac. Brit.

EDW. Hist. Crust. 1. p. 305.
p.

Id. Encycl. Brit.
t.

xx.

f.

1-4.

COUCH, Cornish Fauna.

65.

THE general form of the body of this species is triangular, produced anteriorly,

much rounded.

and with the posterior angles

The rostrumislarge, strong,and promi-

nent, about one-third as long as the remainder of the cara-

23

FOUR-HORNED SPIDER-CRAB.

formed of two strong horns, diverging for about1pace ;

it is

one-third of their length, and slightly deflexed ; the lateral

margin has four spines, exclusive of a very strong one above
the orbit, and a smaller one behind that cavity.
There arenumerous tubercles on the carapace, several small ones
one on theon the gastric region, disposed transversely
centre of the carapace ;;two considerable ones on eachbranchial region, one on the centre of the cardiac, anda small one near the posterior margin.

The spines above

the orbit are triangular, very strong and prominent ; directed forwards and alittleoutwards, and so formed thatthe eyes can be deflexed within them, so as to be quite

concealed from above.

The external antennae are beset attheir base with long club-shaped hairs.

The anterior pairof feet in the male are exceedingly strong and thick, thehands especially are nearly as broad as they are long.
fingers meet at the points

denticulated,;Thethe outer edge of each being-

and the moveable one has a email round

The arms and wrists have several round tubercles.

tooth.

In the female these feet are very small, and shorter than
the second pair, and in the immature male they are very
similar to those of the female.

moderatesize

The remaining feet are ofand length, the second pair being but little

longer than the carapace, and the fifth pair shorter than
There are a few tubercles, and a few small
its breadth.
spines upon the legs, and the nail is furnished beneath witha regular row of sharp spines arranged like the teeth of a
The abdomen has seven distinct joints in each sex;

comb.

that of the male being broadest at the third joint ; thesixthgular.

isbroader than thefifth,and the seventh is trian-

Each joint has a central tubercle.

The abdomen of the female is very large and broad, andhas a broad carina.

The wholesurface of the shell, and24

MAIADJ3.

the greater part of the limbs, is covered with a cjose, short,and the antennae, rostrum, andvillons coat ;furnishedberclesareshapedhairs.

lished, anddish-brown,

withUnderneath

of

tufts

curved, club-

long-,

this covering the shell is po-

The colour is a dull red-minutely punctured.

becoming bright redby boiling',orby the

The general length of the carapace in aaction of spirit.

full-grown malethe tu-allis

two inches threelines,

breadthone

inch six lines.

The habits of this species, as far asIhave had an op-

portunity of observing them, are curious.

They are foundconcealed under the long hanging fuci which clothe therocks at some distance from the shore, in which situationI

have taken them amongst the Bognor rocks.

They con-gregate in vast numbers at the place I have just mentioned,

prawn andtheinlobster pots.

have seen, probably,I

thirty amongst the refuse of one of these, attracted no

doubt by the garbage which is placed in them as bait.
These were much larger and finer than any I have seenelsewhere.

Contrary to the comparative sizes of the two
by Dr. Leach, I found the males larger

sexes, as figured

than the females, exceeding them in length by about half
an inch.
Thus, Leach" s figure of the male is not at all1

equal in size or apparent strength to those which I foundat Bognor, but that of the female
size of that sex.

about the ordinaryis

Like all the .slow moving Crustacea, they

are very liable to be covered with small fuci, so that they
are sometimes completely concealed

by a mass of thesemarine plants growing upon their surface, where theirroots find a secure hold amongst the villous coat of the
shell

*

and limbs.*

This

is

especially

S;iy supposes that the fuci, which arc

the ease

u ith

the

found covering certain Crustacea, arewhich they are coveredliymerely entangled mechanically in the hooked hairs;

FOUR-HORNED SPIDER-CRAB.
females, which in this, as in-">many other species, are less

Their movements are extremely

active than the males.

slow and measured, and they are very timid, concealing
themselves under the fuci, and remaining for a time almost

But notwithstanding

motionless.

and lazytheir timid

character, they seize the object of their anger by a sudden
onandsnap, and nip with great force, holding

unexpectedwith extraordinary firmness and tenacity, although unable,from the bluntness of their pincers, toinflicta wound.

The manner of their seizing any object, when from theirslow motion it is least expected, reminded me of the modein which I

have seen the OtoUcnus tardigradus seize a bird,or other small living animal ; andboth, must,I

any one who has seen

think, be struck with the similarity.

This species of Pisa formed the type of the genus Blastus of Leach, who, however, afterwards reunited the twoforms, which certainly are not sufficiently distinct to war-

would appear from the paucity
have found of the occurrence ofrant their separation.

Itof observations whichI

this species, that it is not a common one ;itisvery local.

or at least that

Mr. Couch says in his " Cornish Fauna"

Dr. Leach gives," The Isle ofas its localities,
Wight, Teignmouth, and
It is not mentioned by Mr. Hailstone in his
Brighton."
MS. Catalogue of Hastings Crustacea, which he obligingly

that

it

is

not

common in that county.

sent me, nor do I

remember to have found it there.

Thave taken many small specimens on the Dorsetshire Coastby dredging, and, asI

before observed, in very large num-bers at Bognor.

The only account of its occurrence as an

Irish

that

species

but thereroots.

is

This

is,

"two examples exist in Mr. Ball's

no dmibt that they actually yrow upon them, and are attached byisevident from the healthy state of the little plants, as well as i'miii

the direction of their branches.

26

MAIAD^E.

collectionmara.

which were obtained at Roundstone,(Joiine-11

It inhabits, also, the Mediterranean ;and I have observed

a remarkable peculiarity in some of the specimens fromthat locality.

The anterior pair of legs, as I have before

mentioned, do not assume their full
until the animalisquite adult ;and development
but I have seen Meditersize

ranean specimens of a very small size comparatively, with
In such cases wethe full adult development of the feet.

might expect to find the reproductive organs fully perfected, from some local circumstances favourable to theirdevelopment, whilst the general growth of the animal had
been retarded, probably by deficiency of nourishment.

27

GIBBS S SPlDER-CHAIi.

DECA PODA.

MAI AD ft.

BRACHYURA.

a

GIBBS'S SPIDER-CRAB.
Pisa Gibbsii.
Specific character.

Leach.

A strong spine on eachNo spines on the lateral margin.

branchial region, and a large prominent tubercle just above the posterior margin of

the carapace.

Cancer bmculcatus,

MONTAGU, Linn. Trans. XI. t. i. f. 2. p. 2.

Pisa

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 431.
Id. Trans. Linn. Soc. XI. p. 327. Malac. Brit. t. xix.

Gilbsii,

EDW.

Hist.

Crust.

I.

p.

307.

COUCH, Cornish

Fauna, p. 65.

THE general form of the carapace in Pisa Gibbsii is very
The rostrum is muchdifferent from that of P. tetraodon.

longer, being not less than half the length of the rest of

the shell, andtwo horns,

themale, are parallel

throughout almost their whole length

but in the female

its

in

;

MAIAD.U.

they are shorter, and divergent for about one-third of theirThe

length, as in the former species.

lateralexcepting, in some speci-

the carapace is without spines,

The supra-

mens, a very small one on the hepatic region.
orbitar spineismargin ofsmaller than in the other species, not ex-

ceeding one-third the length of the rostrum in the male ;
it

is

spine

directedisoutwards and forwards

very small.

;thepost-orbitar

The regions of the carapace are verystrongly marked and gibbous, particularly the genital andintestinal,

and they are separated by deep furrows.

There

on each branchial region a strong prominent spine which,with a large round tubercle just above the middle of theisposterior margin, on the intestinal region, form an obtuse
triangle.

The antennae, the pedipalps, and the abdomen,

are very similar to those of P. tetraodon.
pair of feet are of moderate

size,

The

anterior

not nearly so broad andmassive as those of the other species, and the hands compressed.

The remaining feet are tuberculated, excepting

the penultimate joint of the second pair, whichtubercles or spines.

iswithout

The whole surface is covered with avery dense villous coat, much thicker than in P. tetraodon,

and there are a few tufts of longer club-shaped hairs interspersed, with which also the base of the rostrum

and thatof the antennas are furnished.

This species is exceedingly liable to the growth of foreign
substances upon the surface, to which the dense villous

covering affords a very ready and firm attachment.
aspecimen

in

I

have

my collection the form of which is almost

completely concealed by a mass of sponge which has grownon its back.

Dr. Leach states thatit

who was employed as a

was

first

collector

noticed by Mr. Gibbs,

by Montagu.

It

was

described and figured by the latter indefatigable naturalist,

29

GIBBS 8 8PIDER-CRAT5.
in the eleventh volume of the1

Society,'''" Transactions of the Linnean

under the name of Cancer biaculeatus;anil Dr.

Leach afterwards assigned to it its present name after the
discoverer.

According to the same authority it is not an uncommon
Inspecies on the southern coast of Devon and Cornwall.
the latter county Mr. Couch saysitis

not uncommon, oc-

curring at various depths, from two to twenty fathoms.

have obtaineditat Hastings ;mentions its frequent occurrence

where Mr. Hailstone
;

I

also

and Dr. Milne Edwards

mentions it as an inhabitant of the French coast.
It is generally found indeep water, andby the trawl net, or by dredging.

Itistaken either

spawns in December,according to the observation of Mr. Hailstone.

DECAPOD A.

MAIADM.

RRACHYURA.

GENUS HYAS, LEACH.
CANCER,

Hcrbst.

MAIA,

Bosc.

INACHUS,

Fabricius.

PISA,

Latr.

HYAS,

Luacli, Edwards.

Generic character.

External antennae with the basal portion

slightly narrowed forwards, and separated from the outer portionof the orbit by a notch

than the third.

at the internal apex.

shorter than the;the second joint dilated externally, longer

External pedipalps with the third joint notched

The first pair of legs thicker than the rest,

second pair, and equal ; the fingers tapering to

the point, and when closed, meeting throughout nearly their whole
length.

The remaining pairs of legs simple, slender, long, almost

cylindrical ; the terminal joint without spines beneath.

Carapacetuberculous,, elongate- subtriangular, much rounder at the posterior

margin ; rostrum of moderate length, triangular, depressed ; thelacinia: somewhat converging.
The lateral margin with a strong
spear-shaped process immediately behind theof being deflexed within theorbits.

orbit.

Eyes capable

Abdomen seven-jointed

both sexes ; the terminal joint in the maleisintransversely oval,

and the corresponding margin of the penultimate jointisbroadlyemarginate to receive it.

This genus bears considerable relation to Pisa, fromit differs,
amongst other characters, in the dilated

which

form of the second joint of the antennae, and the absence ofspines beneath the last joint of the legs.

I1YAS ARANEUS.

DECAPOD A.

31

MATADM.

Hyas araneus.
Specific character.

Carapace not contracted behind the post-orbitai hastiform
1

process.

Cancer araneus,

LINN. Sjst. Nat. I. 1044.

Inachus araneus,

MEREST, 1. 1. xvii. f. 59. p. 342.
FABR. Ent. Syst. Suppl. 356.

Maw,

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. 394.

Bufo,

Hyas

,,

Id.

1.

c.

p. 431.

Id. Malac. Brit. t. xxi. A.

Crust. I. p. 312.

EDW. Hist.

COUCH, Cornish Fauna, p. 66.

THIS is the largest British species of the family with the
exception ofMaia fiquinado.

The carapace is of an elongate-

triangular form, the posterior margin very much rounded,and the anterior portion considerably narrowed.

The ros-

trum is triangular, its two lacinite nearly parallel at their

MAlADvE.

.32

somewhat

inner edge, converging at the points,

flattened

The external anabove, and slightly hollowed beneath.
tennae are remarkable in this, as in the other species of thethe external margin of thegenus, for the dilated form of

second joint, which

also considerably longer thanissucceeding one ; the peduncle

is

tin-

nearly as long as the ros-

The eyes are but little larger than the footstalk, andtrum.

capable of being retracted within the orbit, which is large
and open, arched above, and protected posteriorly by a

There are no spines on any partstrong hastate process.

body or limbs; but the carapaceof thelow tubercles of various

iscovered with

Of the external pedipalps

sizes.

is quadrate, slightly produced at the anand inner angle ; the third joint of an irregularform, and somewhat notched at the inner apex for thethe second joint
terior

The abdomen of thearticulation of the terminal portion.

The third joint

male is of a very peculiar form.

is

the

broadest, the fifth and sixth nearly equal, and the latterexcavated inits distal

margin to receive the seventh joint,

which is transversely oval, or rather reniform, being broadat the terminal margin.
emars'inate
ly
O
J
~

The abdomen of

the female is broadly oval, and has a broad tuberculated
carina, which is also the case with that of the male.

The body and limbs

are partially covered with a villous

coat.

The dimensions of a fine male are as follows:

In.

Length of the carapace
Breadth of do.

.

Length of the anterior legs

.

.

.

.

coasts of Scotland and Kent.

<liireitisof rare occurrence."uisvery common on
On the shores of Devon-"This species," says Dr. Leach,tin:Lines.

.36
.26
.53

I

liave received

it

from

1IYAS ARANEUS.

Worthing in Sussex, and from the coast of North Wales,through the kindness, respectively, of my friends Mr.
Dixon and Mr. Eyton. I have obtained it at Hastings,
where it occurs in considerable abundance and dredged;

iton oyster-beds at Sandgate, of large size, at from ten to

twelve fathoms.

The following particulars respecting the occurrence
this speciesofon different parts of the coast of Ireland, arevery interesting, and are taken from the Catalogue of Irish
Crustacea, by my friend Mr. W. Thompson.
" Mr.
has noticed thisspecies as taken at
Templeton
and native specimens are in Mr. J. V.
Carrickfergus;

It has been obtained at Youghall
Thompson'sR.
Ball.
We take it by dredging inand Dublin by Mr.

collection.

the loughs of Strangford and Belfast, where, too, it is com-monly thrown ashore.

In the estuary, at

half a mile from Belfast, alittlemore thannumber of large specimens of

this Crab were captured in the month ofOctober 1839, on

the hooks attached to hand lines, much to the surprise of

the fishermen, who had never met with them so near the

town before, or in brackish water.

The lug-worm (Lum-bricus niarinus) was the bait attacked in this instance by

the Crabs.

Hyas araneus Avas taken in the dredge at Bun-doran, on the western coast, by our party in July 1840,
and very small living specimens were found under stones,

between tide-marks at Lahinch, on the coast of Clare.
In Mr. Hyndman's cabinet are two Crabs of this species,

with oysters attached to their backs.

The oyster (Ostrea

edulis) on the larger Crab is three inches
five

or

Balani.

six years

The

old,
1

'

shell,

andiscoveredin length,

Avith

and

many large

or carapace of the Crabisbut tAvo

inches and a quarter in length, and hence it must, Atlaslike,have borne a world of weight uponits

shoulders.

34

MAIAD.E.

The presence of this oyster affords interesting evidence thatthe Hyas lived several years after attaining its full growth.

Both crabs and oysters, though dead, were brought to Mr.

Hyndman in a fresh state.
legs of specimens in

The hairs on the body andmy collection are longer in the small

On the north-east coast of
the H. araneus is very much preyed on by thethan in the large individual.
Ireland,codfish.

" In
large

January 1840, I saw specimens of this Crab of veryon the coast near Edinburgh the carapace ofsize

one which;Imeasured was three inches in length, and theextent from the extremities of the first pair of legs eleven
inches."Mr. Hailstone states that this Crab spawns in February:

this, however, cannot be universally the case, as I took
several females at Sandgate early in May, in the year

1843, every one of which was carrying her load of spawn,

which is of a rich deep orange colour.

HYAS COARCTATUS.

DECAPOD A.

MAIAD IE.

BRACHYURA.

Hi/as coarctatus.
Specific character

Leach.

Carapace distinctly contracted immediately behind the post-

orbitar process.

Ifyas coarctal/ts,

LEACH, Trans. Linn. Soc. XI. p. 329.
xxi. B.

EDW. Hist. Crust. I. p. 312.

Id. Malac. Brit. t.

COUCH, Cornish

Fauna, p. 66.

THIS is a small and elegant species, differing so much inthe contour of the shell from Hyas araneus, as to be dis-tinguished at a glance from that species, although agreeing

with it in almost all the essential characters.

The carapace

very broad anteriorly, and suddenly contracted at thesides, both of which characters arise from the extraordinaryisbreadth of the post-orbitar processes, which are half lyreThe rostrum is bifid, triangular,
shaped and lamelliform.

and each lacinia has a series of minute tubercles along the
middle.

The whole carapace

tennae, the eyes,

istuberculated.

The

an-

the orbits, and the pedipalps, are very
D 2

MA AIMS.

3G

I

The

similar to those of the former species.

pair offirstlegs in the male are fully half as long again as the hody ;those of the female, which are slender, ahout the lengthof the body ; the arms, wrists, and hands are tuberculo-

The remaining legs

carinated.

are slender,

smaller in proportion, than in H. araneus,-

shorterandthe third joint

The abdomen re-with a line of small tubercles above.

The colour

sembles in each sex that of the former species.

andlegs above is reddish-white, the tubercles a beautiful pink or rose-colour; the under partsof the carapace

dirty white.

The dimensions of a fine male taken at Sand-

gate by myself, are as follow
Length of Carapace
Breadth of do.

...
....

Length of first pair of legs

It is remarkable that in

the figure of the male

:

is

In.

Lines.

3

1

9

.

.

1

.

.0

Dr. Leach's plate of this speciesvery much smaller than that of

the female.

In the specimens which I have taken, thehas
been
contrary
generally the rule, and the males havebeen much larger than those figured by him.

This species was discovered by Dr. Leach in the Frithby him on the southernof Forth, and afterwards foundcoast of Devon.
sent

it

from

to me

I procured it at
Hastings.
from the coast of North Wales

Cornwall,and

Mr. Dixon from

Leach mentions Sandgate

Mr. Eyton;

Mr. Couch

Worthing.

Dr.

as a particular habitat,whereobtained several specimens by dredging, inMay.
I have received it through the kindness of Mrs. Tate fromI

also

Zetland, and fromtfuicl.

in

Orkney by Dr. Pollexfen and Dr. Du-

As an Irish species, it

Dalkey Sound near Dublin

and;Belfast, and at the Giant's

has occurred at Youghall,in the loughs of

Causeway.

Strangford"Thus," says

HYAS COARCTATUS.

Mr. Thompson, " from the North37

to the South of Irelandthis species prevails."

This extensive range authorises me

as evenmore generally distributed on ourto consider

itcoasts than

H. araneus.

In the young state

difficult todistinguish the

two

it

is

very

species, as the former has,in its early age, the spreading form of the post-orbitar pro-

cesses which distinguishes the present species in its perfect

adult condition, and whichisgradually lost by the other.

It is said by Mr. Hailstone to spawn in January.

Amongstthose which I obtained at Sandgate in the month ofMay,

were several females, all without spawn.

Mr. Hailstone describedin the eighth

volume of Lou-

don's Magazine of Natural History, what he considered to

be a distinct species, under the name of Hyas serratus.
There can be no doubt that these were very young speci-

was suggested by Mr.
Westwood in some observations on Mr. Hailstone's com-mens of the present

species,as

There were three specimens, which Mr. H.
but as the largest was only a quarstates were all males

munication.

;

ter ofwould be impossible at so early
distinguish the male from the female by the

an inch long,a period to

abdomen.

it

MAIADM.

DECAPODA.
BRACHYURA.

GENUS MAIA, LAM.
CANCER,
INACHUS,

Herbst.

MAIA,

Lam. Leach, Edwards.

Generic character.

Fabr.

External antennae with the basal portion

very broad, forming a considerable part of the inferior boundary of
the orbit, furnished with two strong spines, the outer one directed

outwards and forwards, the inner curved downwards ; the moveable portion inserted at the outer and upper angle of the basal portion,

where it fills the inner canthus of theorbit.

Internal an-

tennae placed in triangular fossse, between the anterior extremity ofwhich is a strong spine, exactly similar to the inferior spine of thebasal joint of the external antennae, and ranging with them.

Eyes

not thicker than their peduncles, which are elongated and slightly
curved.

Orbits deep, oval ; their upper boundary, which is arched,having two fissures.
Carapace ovate-subtriangular, convex, covered with numerous spines or tubercles. Rostrum very strong, bifurcate,

the horns

somewhat

divaricate.

Anterior legs elongated,

thicker than the others in the adult male, but

muchsmaller inyounger age, and in the female; the hands and wrists long, thefingers tapering and pointed, and scarcely toothed.
Legs of thetheterminal joint naked
remaining pairs elongate, cylindrical,
at the extremity,

and without spines beneath.

jointed in both sexes.

Abdomen seven-SP1NOUS SPIDER-CUAB.

MA IADAL.

DECA POD A.
BRACHYURA.

SPINOUS SPIDER-CRAB.
CORWICH.

Maia sq^linaclo.
Specific cltaracter,

Cancer Squinado,

Carapace convex, covered with sharp spines.

HERBST,

I.

t.

xiv.

f.

84-85, (jun.)

Id.

III.

t.

Ivi.

(adult.)Maia,
j\faia Squinado,

SOWERB. Brit. Misc. t. xxxix.
LATR. Hist. Nat. des Crust. VI. p. 93.
Nat. des Crust. I. p. 257.

XI.

p.

326.

Bosc, Hist.

LEACH, Trans. Linn. Soc.

Id. Malac. Brit.

t.

xviii.

EDW.

Hist.

Crust. I. p. 327.

THE carapace of this species of Maia is considerably convex, of an ovoid form, but becoming

more triangular in

adult age, by tlie increased narrowing of its anterior portion.

The rostrum is strong and prominent, its two horns

MAI AD, K.

4-0

somewhat diverging so as to leave a triangular space between them. The orbit has a strong spine above its outer1,

angle,

and a smaller one
boundarysuperior

at the base of the former ;The lateralarched and rounded.

is

its

margin has five or six very strong sharp spines, the an-bounds the outer angle of theterior of which

upper surface of the carapace
spinesandportionisis

The under

tubercles.

Theorbit.

covered with innumerable
surface of the anterior

furnished with five strong spines, two on eachside on the basal joint of the external antennae, the outerone

directed

forwards and outwards, thedownwards, and a
likewise curved

other

curvedsingle one at the root of the rostrum,

down wards.

The second and third jointsof the antennse of nearly equal length, and inserted at theouter angle of the basal joint.

Anterior pair of legs in theadult male nearly twice as long as the carapace, much larger

than the succeeding ones;

the arm and wrist tuberculated ;the hand scabrous ; the fingers

moveable onevery taper, pointed, theTheslightly curved, scarcely denticulated.

remaining legs cylindrical, without spines or tubercles;

thesecond pair nearly half as long again as the carapace, thethe last joint very

rest diminishing regularly to the fifth ;slightly curved, its extremity naked, abruptly smaller, andpointed.

The abdomen is in each sex seven-jointed.

the male, the second jointisInvery narrow at the insertionof the last pair of legs, the anterior part of it becoming

abruptly

much wider;

thenearly parallel, becoming, however, athe terminal marginisoccupying one-third ofrounded.
its

remainder areof thesides

Itbreadth.

littlenarrower, andhas a broad carina
Inthe female

it

is

oval.

There are fe\v species of Crustacea in the form of which
age produces so great a change as in this.

The younger in-41

SPINOUS SPIDER-CRAB.

only exhibit the more slender and shorter
dimensions of the anterior legs, but the anterior part of thedivicluals notcarapace is much broader in proportion ; a character whichpermanently belongs to the Mediterranean species, H. verrucosa.

Pennant's figure of what he terms Cancer maia belongs
to Lifhodes arctica, andvery probable that he, as wellit is

as others, has confounded these two species, before the true

characters of Crustacea were understood,
naturalists in generaland indeed before

were aware of the value of specificcharacters.

Therea species foundisnearly allied to this,Mediterranean very

the

in

and which has been supposed

habit our southern coast.

It

Edwards already alluded

to

:

is

the

it

is

to in-

Maia verrucosa ofreadily distinguishedfrom this by the absence of spines on the surface, which
are replacedvelopment ofby tubercles;

by the greater extent andthe supra-orbitararch ;

byde-the breadth of

the anterior portion of the carapace, which remains to theadult age as broad as in the younger state ; anddepressed form of the carapace.

Iby thebelieve M. verrucosa has

not been taken on our shores ; those found in Cornwall,and considered as such by Mr. Couch, being undoubtedly
the present species.

This Crabfound in great abundance on almost all
In Ireland it
parts of our southern and western coast.
occurs also on the southern coast.
It is by far the largest
isspecies of the family, and with the exception of the great

Crab, Cancer pagurus, the largest of the British Brachyura.
I havea specimen taken in Plymouth Sound, thecarapaceof whichisbreadth, andinches.

eight

the

incheslengthinlength,and nearly sixof the anterior

feet

is

in

fifteen

42

MAIAD.E.

though I understand it

It is eaten lyy the poorer classes,isbut indifferent food.

Like all the other triangular Crus"itandtacea, the fishermen inveterately term

spider ;"they appear to have very little idea of any affinity between
these forms, and the Crabs properly so called.

I

remem-

ber some years since seeing in one of the back streets ofPoole, near the water-side, a little girl standing by a small
table, on which was a plate containing two of these Crabs,of moderate
her with "On my accostingcooked and for sale.

size,

Pray do they eat these crabs here ?" She re"alook of great surprise at my ignorance,
with
They
plied
ben't crabs, sir, them's spiders !"Mr. Richard Couch informs me that in Cornwall several
dozens of " the Corwich"

are sold for sixpence, but that

more frequently given away to those who ask
Mr. Couch adds, that he never saw a soft one,for them.

they areor one soon after casting its shell, although they are often
taken "peel" or ready to cast it.
This, doubtless, arises
from the extreme secrecy of their retreats when undergoing
this process.

The following account, for which I am indebted to thegentleman just mentioned, is very interesting, and it affords
another opportunity of confirming the true metamorphosis" This is the most abundantof the decapodous Crustacea.
itdoes not makeearly in the season as theCommon Crab,of all the Crabs found on our coast, but
its appearance so

the Lobster, or indeed any other ;than May, but from that time

it is

till

rarely found earlier

the end of the fishery

August or September, these Crabs make their appearance in vast numbers, to the great vexation of the fisherin

men

;

for

it

is

found that from the time these begin to
more valuable kinds considerably de-enter the pots, thecrease innumber;and this is supposed to arise from their

43

SPINOUS SPIDER-CRAB.
restless activity.

No sooner are they in the crab-pot, thanthey are continually in motion, scrambling from one partto another, and in this way frighten the Crab and Lobster,and prevent them from entering.
part of the

In the spring and earlysummer they lie concealed beneath the sand,About May they leave their places of con-in deep water.

cealment, but never come into shallow water, as does theCommon Crab;the latter is often found in crevices of rock,or beneath stones left by the receding tide
but this isnever the case with the CorwicJi. They shed their spawn
about August or September, at some short distance from;the shore, most probably in the sands.
In this, too, theydiffer from the Common Crab, for even when the spawn isquite

mature for "casting," they enter the pots as readily

as at any other time ; whilst on the other hand it is a veryrare occurrence to catch theunless it be with a dredge-net.

Common Crab with spawn,
It wouldseem either thatthey grow very fast, or that the young differ considerably
in their habits from the larger ones
for whilst it is very;

common to find specimens measuring nine or ten inches in
the length of the carapace, it is very rare indeed to get one
less than three inches ;and a fisherman tells me that after

many years' fishing he caught one about the size of a halfcrown, which was the smallest he ever saw.

"The ova, when quite ready for shedding, (fig. 1,) areabout the size of a very small mustard-seed, and of areddish-brown colour, besprinkled with small dark spots.
After keeping them suspended in sea-water for twenty-four

some of the ova dropped from their attachments,
after the young escaped, and this evidently by

hours,and soon
their

own

exertions, as distinct motions

servable underclosed.

thewereeasilyob-

microscope while they were yet en-

When they first escape, they are, as it were, rolled

MAlAD^i.

on themselves, (fig. 2,) the caudal extremity being- Lent on
the body ; but thisispresented in fig. 3.

Isoon changed for the position re-

could detect no spine on the anterior

was quite smooth, but marked
part of the carapace, which
The eyes are sessile and large ; the claws,with dots.
the extremity, covered with minuteparticularly towards
hairs."

These interesting observations of Mr. Richard Couch afford a fresh confirmation of the truth of the metamorphosisof the brachyurous Crustacea, and it is to be hoped thatwhenever an opportunity occurs to any observer to preserveand examine the embryo, and the subsequent pro-

gress towards the perfectstate of any other species, similar

notes may be made, and thus we shall hereafter arrive ata knowledge of this curious process in most of our native
species.

An ordinary sized Corwich, as Mr. Couch informs me,bears at one time upwards of seventy-six thousand eggs.

DECAPOD A.

PARTHENOPIDM.

BRACHTURA.

GENUS EURYNOME, LEACH.
CANCER,

Pennant.

EURYNOME,

Leach, Risso, Edwards.

Generic character.

External antenna; scarcely longer than the

rostrum ; the basal joint triangular, and perfectly united to thesurrounding parts the second inserted at its apex, at the inner;

canthus of the orbit, and beneath the rostrum ; second joint larger,

but shorter than the third.
joint dilated at the outer
terior pair

External pedipalps with the thirdand emarginate at the inner angle.

succeeding ones;

hands long, linear

to the fifth pairs of legs linear,;

fingers inflected.

anteriorly,

and much

Rostrum bifid, the laciniee triangular,

flattened, slightly divaricate.
fissureThe second

diminishing regularly in length.

Carapace irregularly rhomboidal, produced
rounded behind, verrucose.

with a single

An-and much longer than theof legs in the male, larger

Orbits deep, above strongly arched,near theexternal angle.

globular, larger than the peduncles.,which areEyes retractile,
short.

Abdomenseven-jointed in both sexes.

This genus is the only British representative of a highlyinteresting and curious, as well as natural family, agreeing

nearly with the genus

Parihenope of Fabricius, and com-prising a number of bizarre forms, which have for the mostpart very long arms and rough, rocky-looking bodies.

Theyform upon the whole, as Milne Edwards has observed, apassage from the triangular families, to the more typical

CANCERID.E;

and, like many other small osculant or inter-mediate groups, exhibit many diverse and somewhat isolat-

Of these the present genus, Ewrynome, may beconsidered as the most nearly related to the MAIAD^E, withed forms.

which family it agrees

inthe union of the basal joint of

the external antennae with the parts surrounding it, as wellas in the general form of the body.

K;

PAIJTHENOPin.K.

PAETHENOPIDM.

DECAPODA.
BRACIlYI'R.l.

'

I
Leach.

Eurynome aspera.
Specific cJiaractcr.

Rostrum less than or: (.-fourth the total length of the body.

Carapace covered with numerous small warty tubercles, regularly disposed.

Cancer aspcr,
Eiiriinomc usjicnt,

PENXANT, Brit. Zool. IV. t. x. f. 3. p. 13.
xvii.
EDW. Hist. Crust. I. p.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t.
351.

spinosa,

HAILSTONE in Mag. Nat. Hist. VIII. p. 549.

THE carapace of this very pretty Crab is irregularly rhomboidal, the anterior triangle being longer than the posterior,which latter is somewhat rounded;

the rostrum is less than

one-fourth the whole length of the carapace, bifurcate, thelacinisc
issomewhat divergent, acute, and flattened.

There

a large triangular laminar tooth at the outer angle of theorbit, and there are three smaller ones at

gin of the branchial region.

the lateral mar-

The carapace is covered withnumerous small, round, warty tubercles, which, on a close
examination, are found to be distributed with perfect regularity.

The most conspicuous of these are two on each47

EURYNOME ASPERA.

branchial region, and one on the centre of the cardiac.

The latter, which is smooth and polished, is surrounded byten others, which are warty, arranged

in

side.

The external antennae are not longer than

the rostrum.

The basal joint, as in the Maiadee, is sol-on eachdered to the surrounding parts

;

in

.

an oval form, fivewhich respectitdiffers

from that of some other genera of the family in which it
it is triangular, and the moveable portion isis detached;inserted at its apex, and does not extend beyond the ros-trum.

The second and third joints are oval, and nearly

equal.

The

external

oblong-quadrate ;pedipalps

have the second joint

the third has the outer angle produced,

and the inner angle truncate and emarginate. The anterior legs in the male are nearly twice as long as the body,and much larger than the succeeding

ones, thearms andhands long, the wrists short, the fingers long and inflected.
female they are but little larger, and scarcely
The whole are covered
the second pair.
thanlonger
The abdomen in the male is tubercuwith tubercles.

In

the

lated

and carinatedthe female

it

is

the

;

terminal joint triangular.

In

oval,

carinated, and the margin broadly

ciliated.

The length of a very fine male specimen is about nine
lines,and its breadth sevenlines.

Its 'colourisa lightrose, intermixed with a slight tint of blueish-grey.

The Eurynome aspera, which is one of the rarer of the
British Crustacea, inhabits deep water, having been dredgedinseventy fathoms.

It

has been taken by dredging, or by

the trawl on the coasts of Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorsetshire,and Sussex.

I find by

my own notes that I took a speci-

men in Swanage Bay, in Dorsetshire, some years since, butithas been lost.

It

has also been dredged off theIsle of

Man, and in Loch Fyne, by Mr. McAndrew, to whom I

48

am indebted for specimens from both localities.

I

have

been favoured with another specimen, also a female, andloaded with spawn, by Mrs. Griffiths, who took it at TorI

quay.

cannot doubt that Ew. spinosa of Mr. Hailstone,

described in the eighth volume of the Magazine of Natural
History, is the young of the present species ;" in aofmass

at Hastingsit

was taken

Fil'ipora filigrana?

The following account of its occurrence as an Irish species,

istaken from Mr. W. Thompson's Catalogue of the" Marked as Irish in Mr. J. V.

Crustacea of Ireland.

Thompson's collection.

It is rather a rare species,

inhabitant of deep water."and anIn Strangford Lough several

specimens were taken by Mr. Thompson and Mr. Hyndman. It has occurred in Belfast Bay, on the Dublin coast,

and at Roundstone on the Avestern

coast.

It

was obtained

Mull of Galloway, atby Captain Beechey
fathoms.
It
is
found
on
the coast of France, fromseventywhence I have received specimens through the kindness ofoff thealso

my friend Dr. Milne Edwards.
its

Being found only in deep water, but little is known of
habits.
The eggs are of a beautiful orange colour; they

are deposited in June, or the early part of July, as

I

have

a female specimen taken at the latter end of June, in which
the eggs are so fully developed, that theembryo can beseen through the investing' membranes.

When Dr. Leach established this genus, the present was
the only species known.

Risso has, however, since that,

described another species, to which he gave the name En.
sct/frWitfif,* but so imperfect is the description, that Dr. Milne

Edwards found it impossible to judge, with any degree ofcertainty, whether it belonged to this genus or not ;and ifso, whether it might not be identical with the present.
*

Risso, Hist. Nat. de YV.m: Merit]., IV.

|>.

'_M.

1

EURYNOME ASPERA.

49

possess, however, a pair of this beautiful little species fromthe Bay of Naples, and find it to be very distinct from ours
in several
points, yet bearing a near affinity to
sufficient distinctive character of it has notyetfor that of Risso is

to notice

it

it.

As a

been given,

altogether useless, I thought it desirable

on the present occasion.

It

differs

from theEnglish species by its longer rostrum, which equals onethird of the total
length, andtered tubercles

by the absence of the scat-by which that is distinguished, instead ofwhich there are several broad, flat, shield-like elevations.
Risso had not seen the female, of which sex I have a
specimen loaded with eggs of a deep amber colour.

My friend Professor Forbes dredged Eu. aspera at a
depth of thirty fathoms off the Isle of Man, and at seventy
fathoms in the JEgean.
This evidently shows that thegenus belongs to deep water, an observation which holds

good of all the family of the Parthenopida.

EDECAPODA.

CANCERIDM.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS XANTHO, LEACH.
CANCER,

XANTHO,

Generic Character.
joint longer thanit isMontagu, Herbst.
Leach, Edwards.

External antennae, very short, the basal
broad, in contact with the front only at its

anterior internal angle ; the moveable portion inserted at the inner

canthus of the orbit ; the second joint considerably larger than the
succeeding ones.

Internal antenna placed obliquely immediately

under theExternal pedipalps with the third joint quad-

front.

the inner anterior angle truncate andrate,slightly emarginate.

Carapace very broad, slightly convex from before backwards ; thelatero-anterior margins with the front forming a semi-ellipsis ; thelatero-posterior margin nearly straight ; front projecting, divided bya slight fissure
angle.

;

orbits,with a fissure beneath, at the external

Anterior legs very large, nearly equal, the fingers pointed.

The posterior pairs short, compressedshort.

jointed.

;the terminal joint

Abdomen, in the male, five-jointed

;

very

in the female, seven--XANTHO FLORFDA.

51

DECA PODA.

CANCERIDjE,

BRACHYURA.

Xantlio florida.
Specific character.

Leach

Carapace deflexed anteriorly;.

latero-anterior

margin withfour strong obtusely triangular teeth ; fingers black, without grooves ; the second
to the fifth pairs of legs with the third joint only ciliated on the upper edge.

MONTAGU, Trans. Linn. Soc. IX. t. ii. f. 1. p. 85.

Cancer floridus,

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 391.

incisus,

Xantho incisa,

Id. 1. c. p. 430.

fiwida,Id. Trans. Linn. Soc. XI. p. 320.

floridus,

EDWARDS, Hist. Crust. I. p. 394.

THE

carapace of Xantlio florida

broad

is

Malac. Brit. t. xi.

about two-thirds as

the anterior portion

somewhat de-long asit

flexed ;the latero anterior margin with four strong

is

;

ob-

tusely triangular teeth, and reaching nearly as far back as
E'2

52

CANCERID^E.

the anterior part of the cardiac region.

The

surface of

the anterior portion has several broad flattened elevations,which are separated hy grooves, the principal of which arecontinuous with the intervals between the lateral teeth;

The front is very

the posterior portion nearly smooth.
slightly waved,and sub-emarginate.

at the inner angle beneath.

and strong

Orbit with a fissure

The anterior legs very large

the wrist with a double tubercle above ; the;hand rugous, the fingers without grooves.

The remaining

slightly compressed, the third joint only hairylegs short,on the upper edge, the fourth and fifth joints grooved.
Abdomen in the male five jointed, in the female sevenjointed ; oval, ciliated with long hairs.
speciesis

The colour of thisa reddish brown, the claws black.

The male is much larger than the female, and his claws
are very large in proportion to the size of the body.
full-sized

male

is

A

more than an inch and a half long, andnearly two inches and a half broad;

and the anterior legsof such an individual are nearly four inches long, and thehand is three-quarters of an inch broad.
This species formed the type of a

new genus establishedby Dr. Leach, and was at that time the only one known
to him.
Since that time, however, many others, somebefore known and placed in other genera, and some since
discovered, have been ascertained to belong to it, so thatit

now consists of between twenty and thirty species, inhabiting every quarter of the world.

Until lately, however,it

has been considered our only indigenous species.
It was" Transactions offirst described by
in
the
the
Montagu
Linnsean Society," under the name of Cancer floridus ; but,as Dr. Leach very truly says, he must have been misled init

to be identical with Linna^us's species of thesame name.

The Cancer fioridus of Herbst, which Mon-supposing

53

XANTHO FLORIDA.

tagu quotes also as a synonyme of this species, is a characteristic figureof Zozymus aneus.

It is found in considerable numbers on the coast of Corn-wall and Devonshire, and also in Dorsetshire.

It has beenTheobserved on several parts of the coast of Ireland.
female produces a large quantity of eggs, which are of areddish brown colour.

known.

Of itspeculiar habits nothing

is

54

CANCERILKi;.

CANCER] D.I.

DECA PODA.

.

RRACHYVRA.

Xantho rivulosa.
Carapace nearly horizontal ; latero-anterior margin with

Specific character.

four triangular teeth;

fingers brown, the rnoveaLle one grooved above;

the second

to the fifth pairs of legs with all the joints ciliated on the upper edge.

Cancer hydrophilus,

Xantho JJorida, var. ;8,rivulosus,

HERBST, I. t. xxi. f. 124. p. 266.
LEACH, Trans. Linn. Soc. XI. p. 320.
I. p.
394.
Roux, Crust.
COUCH, Cornish Fauna.

EDVVARDS, Hist. Crust.
Mediterr

t.

xxxv.

THIS species exceedingly resembles X.florida, and lias
been doubtless often confounded with it. There are, however,numerous well marked

following description will

distinctive characters, as theshow on a comparison with thatof the former.

The carapace is nearly horizontal, theanterior portion

XANTHO RIVULO8A.
being very slightly deflexed ;projecting,themargin55

the front

nearly straight,

minutely beaded.

The

latero-anterior margin with four triangular teeth, the posterior ofwhich reaches scarcely beyond thelineof the posterioredge of the gastric region ; the inequalities of the surface

and the intervening grooves, are not very strongly marked.

The anterior legs are large and strong, the wrist bituberculated ; the moveable finger has a distinct groove on theouter side of the upper surface, extending from the joint

nearly to the extremity.

The remaining pairs of legs arecompressed, and the upper edge of all the joints ciliated.
The general colour is yellowish, with red markings the;fingers brown, sometimes but

the shell.

littledarker than the rest of

The specimens which I have seen have all beensmaller than the full size of X. florida.
It appears, then, that the present species differs from theformer in the following particulars

more horizontal, the:the carapace is muchinequalities of the surface lesscon-

spicuous, the lateral teeth more angular, the front less de-margin short and prettily beaded, which is not
the case with those specimens of X. florida which I haveflexed, its

But besides these comparative characters bywhich the two species may be distinguished, when ex-

examined.

amined together, there are others of a positive kind byThe
which the present animal may be readily detected.
moveable finger is grooved;

the whole of the joints of thewhereas in X. florida
legs are ciliated on the upper edge,
The colour of
this is the case only with the third joint.
the pincers in this species is brown, in the other

it

is

quite

black.

There can be no doubt that this is the Cancer liydrophilmof Herbst.
ofEgypt ;"" Crustacea"
Crustacea of the Neighit occurs in Risso's

It is figured also by Savigny in the

56

CANCERID.E.

bourhood of Nice ;" and Edwards says that it inhabits the
In all probability it

western coast of France.

with X.florida," var.

(3

isidentical

digitis concoloribus" of Leach;but

Mr. Couch of Polperro was the first to detect it as an
English species, and to refer it to its proper name and it;

was also detected by Captain Portlock as an Irish species,
a specimen having been obtained at Portruch, in the county of Antrim.

I

have been favoured by Mr. Couch withI have also received it from
specimens from Cornwall
North Wales, through the kindness of my friend Mr. Ey;

Mr. Couch, writing from Polperro says, " Xaniho
rivulosa is common with us, rather more so than X.florida.
ton.

It is

found concealed under stones at low-water mark ;of rather slow habits, and exuviates

manner as the common crab."difference in this respectforms.

much

in

is

the same

There is indeed but little

amongst all the true brachyurous

DECA POD A

CA NCERWJE.

.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS CANCER.
CANCER,
PLATYCARCINUS,

Linn. Leach, Bell.
Latr. Edwards.

External antenna with the basal joint

Generic Character.

very long and thick, filling the hiatus between the inner canthusof the orbit and the front, and terminating forwards in astrong,angular, tooth-like projection, directed forwards and slightly in-wards, reaching a little beyond the frontal line ; the terminal por-and slender, and arises from the internal partveryof the basal joint, nearer to the cell of the internal antennse than

tion

short

is

to the orbit.

tudinalInternal antennae directed forwards, placed in longi-

cells.

External pedipalps with the third joint excavatedand inner margin. Anterior feet nearly equal,robust ; the others, more or less hairy, but without spines.
Caraat the anterior

pace transversely

elliptic,

obviously marked ;theinner canthus ;

neath

:

somewhatelevated,

with the regionswith a strong tooth over
and with two fissures above, and one be-

front trifid ; orbits

the latero-anterior margin on each side extends back to

the centre of the cardiac region, and passes off into a sinuous,

granulated ridge,
it

is

which

rises

over thelatero-posterior

divided into ten lobes, of which the lastoften obsolete.

ismargin ;very small, andEyes placed on short peduncles.

Abdomen,inthe male, five-jointed ; in the female, seven-jointed.

This genus is readily distinguished from its immediatecongeners by the form of the basal portion of the externalantenna?, by the direction of the internal antennee, andby

the formof the latero-anterior margin of the carapace,which

in this genus,is,

uniformly ten-toothed.

There is

CANCERID.E.

58

but one species of this genus, as now restricted, native of
the shores of this country, or indeed of Europe, all theothers being South American.

The generic name Cancer was applied by Dr. Leach toand I havethis, the present genus, as restricted by him;

elsewhere* stated

my reasons for restoring it, after La-

treille had, in the

French Museum, assigned to it the nameof Platycarcinus, in which he had been followed

by Dr.

When thepresent

Milne Edwards.

charactersof theknown species was thegenus were firstcommon large eatable crab of our coasts, the Cancer Padefined, the only

Subsequently another species was addedby Say, and since that three others by myself, from theSouth American collection of Mr. Cuming. The wholegurus of Linneeus.

of these are described in a monograph of the genus justreferred to.
*u Transactions of the

Zoological Society," vol. i. p. 335.

GREAT CRAB.

59

DECAPODA.

CANCERID^E.

BKACHYURA.

GREAT CRAB.
Cancer Pagurus.
Specific cliarader.

Auct.

Shell granulated; latero-anterior margin ten-lobed, the lobes

contiguous, quadrate, entire ; hands smooth.

Cancer Pagurus,

LINN. Syst. Nat. XII. i. 1044.
t.

ix.

f.

59.

HERBST, Krab.
PENN. Brit. Zool. IV. t. iii. f. 7.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. x.

BELL, Trans. Zool.

Soc. I. p. 341.

Platycardnus Par/urns,
Jun. Cancer ineiso-erenatus,

EDWARDS, Hist. Crust, i. p. 413
COUCH, Cornish Fauna, p. 70.

THE carapace is transversely oblong, flattened, slightly
elevated in the middle, somewhat rounded before and be-hind ; the surface minutely granulated, smooth, with the
The latero-anterior margin
regions but slightly marked.
isslightly recurved, divided into ten quadrate

sides

lobes, theof which are contiguous, and the margins entire ;CANCERIDvE.

(J()

the last lobe inconspicuous, and passing into the posterior
anterior toline, which terminates immediately

marginal

The front trifid, the teeth
the posterior marginal ridge.
with a strong trianare
orbitsThe
round,
nearly equal.
which does not projectgular tooth over the inner canthus,
as far as the front, and a smaller one

superiorThe

fissures.

between the two

external antennae have the basal

and terminating forwards in an objoint much elongated,tuse tooth ; theshaped,thejoint of the

moveable portion club-

cylindrical.

The

first

secondstand forwards,

theanterior

backwards when

at

rest.

internal

antennae

foldeddirectly

half being

The sternum minutely punc-

tated, and furnished with small patches

and lines of short

The abdomen in the male, has the margin
scanty hair.
with
short
hair, and the surface with numerous
fringedsmall tufts of shortequilateral triangle

stiff

in

:

hair

;

the last joint forming an

the female the sixth joint

is

very

one triangular, the sides slightly sinularge, the terminal
ated.

The

anteriorpairof feet large, robust,smooth,without spines or tubercles, minutely granulated ; the handrounded, without any ridge

ed teeth.

The remaining;

the fingers with strong roundfeet slightly

compressed,

irre-

bundles ofgularly angular, and furnished with numerous
stiff hairs.

The colour above reddish brown, in younger individuals
with a purplish tint;

the legs more red ; the claws black ;beneath nearly white.

There can belittledoubt that this species was the one

Romans by the name of carabus, fromwhence our common name crab.* Pliny, in enumerating

known

*
it is,

tothe

The common name of the wild apple has probably no reference to the animal;

doubtless, as Skinner has it, from schrublxn, .\. S., to scrape, to bite, from theharsh, rough taste of the fruit.

61

GREAT CRAR.
the different kinds of " cancer" says," Cancrorum

generacarabi, astaci, maire, paguri, heracleotici, i cones et alia igIt would appear by this passage that the term
Cancer was applied to the whole of the Malacostracous
Crustacea
for not only are the Imclt.yura and some ofnobiliora.";

the larger macroura" aliainignobiliora,"

designated, but theevidently hereallprobability,

indicated

all

the

smaller and less important forms.

The

habitsof thisspecieshave been perhaps more

and are better understood thanthoroughly investigated,
those of most other species.

Its large size,

and the ex-cellence of its flavour, occasion it to be more sought afteras an article of food thanspecies ;any other of the brachyurous
and hence its habits and the places of its resort

have been necessarily much observed by those whose occupation it is to procure it for the market ; whilst the natu-

found it a convenient species for his more scieninvestigations, whether as it regards its history or its

ralist has
tific

structure.
It inhabits the whole of our coasts, preferring those parts

which are rocky
holes

in theengagedin;and its usual retreats are amongst therocks,

seeking

where
its

it

food.

generally retires
It is

when

often seen in

not

such

situations, even when the tide has retreated sufficiently torender the rocks accessible,

as, foron the shore at Hastings, wherein the pools and caverns, leftare,I

instance, among those

have often seen themby the receding tide.

These

however, always small individuals, rarely more than

three inches in breadth ; the larger ones remain farther at
sea amongst the rocks in deep water ; and they also burythemselves in the sand, but always in the immediate neigh-bourhood of the rocks.

The food of this species, like thatof most others, consists principally of animal matter, such

62

CANCER1D^5.

as dead fish, and the like ;

and

it

is

exceedingly probableby the smell thanthat the crabs discover their food rather

by sight,

or,atby an impression made by the difit, and diffusedleast,

fusion of odorous particles emanating fromthrough the water.

Thus they detect the bait which isoften placed in such situations that it cannot be seen bythem at any distance, and which consists generally of pieces
of

fish,

in

which decomposition has already commenced.

Mr. Couch, indeed, states in his "Cornish Fauna," that " Itisfound that the freshest (bait) only will attract the crab,
best when hung for several days

whilst for the lobster

it is

to become tainted."

And this may doubtless be true toa certain extent ; but I have often seen crabs taken withlobsters in pots in which the bait was far from being sweet.

The period of life at which the " Bon crab," as the femaleof this speciesistermed along the western coast, begins to

Mr. Couch, when the carapace is
is, according toabout three inches across. The male seeks the female atbreedvarious seasons ; but

would appear thatitinthis, asinthe case of the Carcinus manas, this often takes place im-mediately after her exuviation, and that the male watches
for the completion of this process, when the female is inasoft

and unprotected

Couch, thus writes tostate.

My friend Mr. Richard

me on this subject.

female retires for exuviation, sheis" When thegenerally accompanied

by a male ; and when the shell is removed impregnation
If the male be discovered and removed, antakes place.
other

be found to have taken his place after thewillfollowing tide, and this will be repeated for many times insuccession."

The spawn

isconsiderable

period, andiscarrieddeposited

the year," according to Mr. Couch ;
in

March

;

but

it

is

by the parent
" at

all

for

a

seasons of

Mr. Hailstone says

most probable thatitoccurs during

GREAT CRAH.

f>3

the spring and summer, as is the case with somany otherspecies.

was

It

the

in

month of June, 1826,

that

Mr.

J.

V.

Thompson* "had the good fortune to succeed in hatchingcommon crab," and thus, by perfect andthe ova of theobservation,satisfactory
hisinvestigation

demonstrated the theory whichof Zoea had already suggested tomind, of the true metamorphosis of the Crustacea;

his

a dis-

covery which may rank amongst the most interesting andimportant that have been made within the sphere of thesciences of observation, not only in the present, but inanyofextremetheseTheprevious age.
difficultypreserving
little animals alive, and ensuring them a supply of theirproper food, has prevented the observations of their subse-

quent growth from being so satisfactorily carried out as
could have been wished ; but the doctrine thus established
has been confirmed in somany

instancesby observations

on other species of Crustacea, that the metamorphosis oftheseanimals

may

now-

be

considered as

a

fixed

and

incontrovertible truth.

The fishery for these crabs constitutes an important tradeon many parts of the coast.
annually taken are immense
procuring them is

The numbers which are;

and as the occupation ofprincipally carried onby persons who

more laborious and dangerous pursuits ofgeneral fishing, it affords a means of subsistence to many
are

past

the

a poor man who, from age or infirmity, would be unable
without it to keep himself and his family from the workare taken in what are termed "house.

They

crab-pots ;"a sort of wicker trap, made, by preference, of the twigsof the golden willow, (Salix vitellina,) at least, in many
parts of the coast, on account, as they say, of*

See his "Zoological Researches," No. I. p. 9.

its

great

CANCERID.E.

64

and toughness.

durability

principle of aThose pots are formed on thecommon wire mouse-trap, Lut with the en-trance at the top ; they are baited

and these areby means of a skewer.

The pots are

generally of some otherwise
fixed into the potswith pieces of fish,

useless kind,sunk by stones attached to the bottom, and the situation

where they are dropped is indicated, and the means of raisor pot,
ing them provided, by a long line fixed to the creel,
having a piece of cork attached to the free end of the line:

these float the line, and at the same time serve to designate

the owners of the different pots ; one perhaps having threecorks near together, towards the extremity of the line,
and two distant ones ; another may have one cork fastenedcross-wise ; another two fastened together,and so on.

Itmutual security that the fishermen
abstain from any poaching on their neighbour's property

is of course for their;and hence wefind that stealingfrom each other's potsisa crime almost wholly unknown amongst them. It is at
Bognor, and Hastings, and in Studland and Swanage Baysin Dorsetshire, that I have principally had opportunities ofon these points ; and I am also inpersonal observation
debted to my 'friend Mr. Richard Couchfor some interest-on this subject ; in addition to which I
ing observations
excellent account of the crab and lobster
anwould refer tovolume of thefishery, in the 6th

Penny Magazine.

Mr. Eichard Couch informs me that on the coast of
Cornwall" most of these crabs are sold to the lobster

smacksbut, that when brought on shore;

for sale, thosemeasuring six inches across the carapace are sold for twothose of eight or ten inches, threepence, and"If the crabs
the largest from sixpence to eightpence
are not immediately wanted on being taken out of thepence each;!

pots, they

are placed in store pots, which are of the same

GREAT CRAB.

65

form and materials as the others, but considerably larger.

They are conveyed to great distances, as far, for instance,
as from the coast of
in welled,

Norway to the Billingsgate Market,

boxes, which are of wood, very strongly construct-

and with holes

in allthe sides to admit of continualchange of water, as the boxes are drawn through the sea,
attached to the vessel.

The male Crabs are esteemed thebest for the table;

they are generally larger than the females, and the claws
are much heavier.
They often weigh eight or nine pounds,
and sometimes as much as twelve pounds.

Examples are not few of the occurrence of different species of

Crustacea in armorial bearings.

Prawns, Crayfish,

Lobsters, and Crabs, are occasionally found, and these, notonly as "canting'" bearings, or puns upon the name of thebearers, but often as examples of that emblematical allusion in which the heralds of former times so

ed.

This

is

much delightmuch

not, perhaps, the place to enter into

serious disquisition on the utility of such acustom;andyet one can scarcely read the quaint, but wholesome moralities,of good old Guillhn, and other professors of the

gentle science, without some misgivings that the matter-of-

and prosaic scorn of such emblems, which has succeeded to the more poetical may we not also say thefacthappier credulity of olden time,

may have given us noequivalent advantage for the loss of those striking andI shall venture, therefore, to inepigrammatic maxims.
dulge an old fondness for this ancient, and really not un-interesting "science," (I do not use the term in its modern

and critical sense,) by giving some occasional examples of
CRUSTACEAN HERALDRY.

And in doing this I cannot but

Mr. Moule's " Heraldry of Fish," as a work notless interesting in its historical and technical details, thanrefer to

G6

CANCERIDvE.

tasteful and elegant in its illustration.

We will presume,

and

that

it

appears extremely probable,

Heraldictlie

universally known and

Crab

is

cies.

Mr. Moule observes, "The Crab, the emblem oftlie

inconstancy,present

appears on

the finest specimensa shieldof artin theofcollection

at Goodrich Court ; and, according torick,FrancisSir

usefulspe-

one ofI.,of armour

Samuel Mer-

the Crab was intended as an allusion to

the

ad-

vancing and retrograde movements of the English army at

Boulogne, under the celebrated Charles Brandon, Duke of
Suffolk, in 1523."

authority,

A golden Crab, according to the same

was one of the cognizances of the Scrope family,

and is found on the portrait of Henry, Lord Scrope.

" The

Crab also appears as amem-crest on the seals of several

bers of this noble family.'*''

The familiesof Bridger of Sussex, Crab of Scotland,

Bythesea of Kent, and some others,
mal in their coat- armour.
*also

Moule's " Heraldry of Fish," p. 231.

bear this ani-

DECAPODA( 'A.

NCEH1DAI.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS PILUMNUS
CANCER,

Linn., Pennant, Herbst.

PILUMNUS,

Leach, Edwards.

Generic Character.

External antenna long and setaceous ; thebasal joint not continuous with the surrounding parts, but sepa-

rated by a distinct line, and filling the inner canthus of the orbit;

second joint nearly as broad as it is long, and moveable with theremaining portion
antennce with thenal pedipalps

third joint longer than the second.

Internal

last point of the peduncle club-shaped.

Exter-

;

with

the

third joint

transversely quadrate, theAnterior pair of feet unequal,
rounded ; the remaining pairs rounded above, flattened
the second pair not longer than the third or fourth.
beneathantero-internal angle emarginate.
robust,;Carapace convex, the anterior part much curved from before
backwards ; the surface even the latero-anterior margin extend;

ing backwards as

far as the posterior part of the gastric region ;front slightly prominent
spinulose.

Abdomen,in;orbitselliptical,

theeach sex, seven-jointed

inferior;inmarginthe male,

the third joint the broadest, the succeeding ones diminishing regularly to the apex ;in the female, all the joints sub-equal.

F

2

68

CANCEHIL;.

DECA POD A.

CANCERIDJK.

SRACHYURA.

Pilumnus Mrtellus.

Leach.

Superior margin of the orbit not spinous, but, with theSpecific character,margin armed with four spines (exhands slightly tubemilated.

front, minutely denticulated ; latero-anterior

clusive of the external angle of the orbit) ;PENN. IV. t. vi. f. 1. p. 9.
LEACH, Trans. Linn. Soc. XI. p. 321 Malac. Brit. t. xii.

Cancer hirtel/tts,

LINN. Syst. Nat. I. 1045.

I'ihtmnus;

EDWARDS, Hist. Crust. I. p. 417.

THE carapace is smooth, anteriorly much incurved
lengthtoitsfinely toothed,

the

;

its

breadth, as seven to ten ; the front broad,

divided in the centre by a deep fissure

latero-anterior

clusive of the outer;furnished, ex-margin evenly arched,angle of the orbit, with four strong

thesharp spines, the anterior two being frequently bifid
hinder one the strongest, and in a line with the posterior;

part of the gastric region.

The upper margin of the orbits

the lower margin spinous, and invery minutely toothed;each a small fissure.

The anterior pair of legs are remark-1'Iur.MXI s

69

HIRTELLUS.

ably strong, thick, and rounded ; they are somewhat unequal, in some the right, in others the left being the larger;

the wrist is tuberculated, and furnished with a single spine,

and

is

slightly hairy ;the smaller handistuberculated on

upper and outer surface, the larger one almost entirely
smooth the moveable finger much curved, the fixed one
its;

The remaining legs areroundedflattenedbeneath;above,
slightly
they are covered
triangular, and strongly toothed.

with numerous hairs, and there are also a few on the wrist

and on the anterior part of the carapace, which is also
The abdomen in the male iscovered with short down.
broadest at the proximal margin of the third joint, thence

diminishing regularly to the extremity, the third to theseventh, thus forming a long acute triangle.

of the female

isThe abdomenof the form of a long ellipse, with theits margin is fringed with longproximal portion truncate
hair.
The colour of most individuals is brownish red, with;

obscure yellowish spots ; the anterior legs brownish red,
the fingers light brown ; the remaining legs red, with ob-

In many the brownish red colour

scure yellowish bands.
isreplaced by a dull purple.
In.

Length of the carapace
Breadth of do.

Lines.

.07

.

.

1

.

The present species is the only one of the genus found on
our coast, and it may be readily distinguished from

all

the

foreign species by the absence of spines on the superior

margin of theworkorbit.

are very inferior,The

figures in Dr. Leach's great

and would scarcely serve

to dis-tinguish it, were any of the other species indigenous to thiscountry with which it might be compared.
have been taken from immature specimens

They must;

but even ofsuch they form but very erroneous representations.

OANCERID.E.

70
It

commonaisspecies on

England, having been taken

in

the

all

western coast of

Cornwall, and along thecoast of Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Hampshire,

Dr. Leach mentions
tide,

it

and Sussex.

being taken under stones at low

but those which I have obtained have been from deep

water.

I

have dredged themin

Swanage Bay, Dorset-

shire ; but the finest specimens I ever saw, I procured fromprawn andlobster pots at

Bognor,in

September, 1842.

worthy of remark, that amongst twenty or thirty
specimens, I found only one female, a dead and mutilated
It

is

one.

It

would appear from

Mr. Thompson's Catalogue

to be widely distributed on the coasts of Ireland, althoughoccurring in small numbers.

The different species of this genus are very widely distributed.
They inhabit the Mediterranean, the Red Sea,and other parts of the coast of Asia,
Australia, and both the eastern and western coasts of South

the

East

America.

Indies,DECA PODA

CA NCERID T.

.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS PIRIMELA.
CANCER,

Montagu.

PIRIMELA,

Leach, Desmarert, Edwards.

Generic Character.

External antennce nearly half the lengthof the carapace ; the basal joint short, filling a space at the innerangle of theorbit ;

the moveable portion

inserted

at

its

inner

canthus.

Internal antennce lying somewhat obliquely

in

their

cavities,

which open immediately under the margin of thefront.

External pedijmlps extending forwards beyond the oral cavity,and covering the epistome ; the third joint sub-quadrate, emarginate at the inner margin, about one third from the anterior angle,

Anterior leys small, compressed

for the articulation of the palpes.

the remaining pairs of moderate length,;much compressed ; theterminal joint nearly straight.

Carapace nearly as long as it isthewithnumerousbroad, convex,
strongly- marked elevations
anterior margin arched, the posterior much narrowed ; front tri;

dentate, the middle tooth the longest.

Orbits,with two fissures

Eyes, not thicker than their peduncles, which are very
thick at the base.
Abdomen, in the male five-jointed ; in theabove.

;

female, seven-jointed.

Of this genus one species only is at present known.
(lifters

that

from

all

Tt

the other Canceridte, in the circumstancethe external pedipalps, instead of being confined tothe openingof theoral

cavity, areadvanced over the

epistome to the antennary cavities.
In

its

affinities this genus

tunidff by thegenus Carclnus

intermediate between them.

probably approaches the Forpossibly PaMop<eu$ may be,-

CANCERTD.F.

72

CANCER1D/E.

DECAPODA.
BHACHYURA

Pirimela denticulata.

MONTAGU, Trans. Linn. Soc. IX. p. 87. t. ii. f. 2.
LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. iii. EDWARDS, Hist. Crust.

Cancer denticulate,
I 'irimcla denticulata,

I. p.

424.

THE general form of this pretty Crab will at once strikeusasdiffering

preceded
is

long

;

it.

very greatly fromallthose which have

The carapace is very little broader than it

the anterior marginisso much arched, as to form

nearly a semicircle, whilst the posterior portion is regularly

The latero-anterior margin isand greatly narrowed.
armed with four prominent teeth, which are triangular,Theslightly curved forwards and upwards, and flattened.
front

is

tridentate ; theflattened, curved a little

two external teeth are triangular,
upwards and inwards, and small;

have seen specimens in which they are almost obsolete
the middle tooth is spiniform, and considerably longer thanI;

the others.

The orbit is also furnished with similar teeth,of which there are two above, the inner one being theThelarger ; one beneath, and one at the external angle.

PIBIMELA DENTICULATA.
of the carapace

surfaceisconvex, the regions distinctly

marked, and the anterior half has several rounded elevahut the hepatic regions are excavated towards thetions,

The anterior pair of legs are of moderatemargin.
equal

;

size,

has three cannee, each of which termi-

the wristnates in a small tubercle near its articulation ; the hand

has four distinct carinw, two on the upper, and two on
the outer surface
dinal grooves ;evenly toothed.

;the moveable ringer has

and both thetwolongitu-fingers are moderately and

The remaining legs are compressed and
The abpair.

ciliated at the edges, particularly the fifth

domen of the male has five joints, that of the female seven;the latterisand furnished at theof a lanceolate form,Themargin with numerous long hairs.

usual length ofthe carapace in English specimens, is not more than six

andbut I have in mybreadth nearly sevencollection specimens from the Mediterranean, of which thelines,

its;

carapace is nine-tenths of an inch in length, and an inch inbreadth.

The

colourinsome specimens

isgreenish,inotherspurplish and brown mottled.

This must be considered as one of the leastspecies belonging to our coasts.

common

It was first describedby

the indefatigable Montagu, who states that it was sent tohim by Mr. Boys, " as the produce of the coast of Sand-

wich ;" and he adds, "I have seen a specimen in the cabinetof Mr. Donovan, which I am assured came from the coastof Scotland."

Leach mentions thelatter specimen,

andsays that he obtained a fragment from the same locality ;two other places on the south coast of Devon, Bantham
and Torquay, are also named by that celebrated naturalist
as its habitats.

Mr. W. Thompson found three specimens

washed ashoreatCompton,in

the Isle of Wight.

The

CANCERID.E.

74

same gentleman mentions two
itlocalities in

Ireland where

has heen found, namely, the coast of Antrim, and La-

hinch onbelieve,isthe coast of Clare.

known.

It

Of its hahits

would appear nottonothing,I

approach theshore, as the only living examples on record were obtained

from the refuse of trawl-fishers.

DECAPODA.

PORTUNIDM.

BRACHYUR4.

GENUS OARCTNUS, Leach.

Generic

CANCER,Auct.

CARCINUS,

Leach, Edwards.

Character. -- External antennae lodged incanthus of theorbit, the

the

inner

basal joint narrow and sub-cylindrical.

Internal antenna lying obliquely in nearly circular

cells.

Ex-

ternal pedipalps with the third joint excavated on the anterior

half of the inner margin., and dilated at the outer side.

First pairof feet somewhat unequal, the wrists with a strong spine on the
inner side, standing forwards ; the hands glabrous on
surface ; second, third,

the outerand fourth pairs slightly compressed, withthe terminal joint long, styliform, somewhat four-sided ; thefifthpair more compressed, formed

joint

lanceolate.

long

;

Carapaceforswimming, the terminal

slightly convex, rather broader

than

it

is

the front somewhat projecting, and forming, with the orbits

and the latero-anterior margin, a nearly regular curve, which extends back to a line drawn through the middle of the genital
region ;directedin thelatero-anterior

marginforwards, very open
superior

peduncles.

andtoothed.

Orbits,oval,

Avith a single

fissure,bothstrongly

above,

inferior margins.

Abdomen,inEyes, smaller than their

the male, five-jointed ; in thefemale,seven-jointed.

This genus,of whichone

species

onlyisat present

known, constitutes the nearest approximation amongst theswimming Crabs, to the cancerida;

the osculant genus inthat family which bears a near affinity to this,

paus.

is

Pano-

PORTUNID.E.

76

DECAPODA.
RRACHYr R.lr

COMMON SHORE-CRAB. HARBOUR-CRAB.
Carcinus Manas.

('<ni<-fr

I'ENN. Brit. Zool. IV. p. 3. t. iii. f. o.

Manas,

PortimusLEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 390.

<'<n-cinm

LEACH, Ib. p. 4'2D.

Trans. Linn. Soc. XI. p. 314.

Podophth. Brit. t. v. f.

Malac.

14. EDW. Hist. Crust. I. p. 431.

THR carapace of this common species is rather broader
than

it

is

long-,

minutely tuberculatcd, the regions very

distinct and rather prominent.

tlm>e

lobes,of whichtheThe front is divided into

middle oneisrather longer

than the others ; they are distinctly margined and slightly
the orbits very open above, with a single
turnedupwards;

fissure in the superior,a strong

tooth

at

margin, andand a smaller one at theand one in thethe outer,inferior

COMMON SHORE-CRAB.
inner

angle.

The

latero-anterior

margin has four strong
seconddirected forwards ; theflattened triangular teeth,and fourth more acute than theterior77

margin extends backwards

others.
in

The latero-pos-a straight

line,

and

the posterior margin has a distinct elevated waved border.

The external antennas are placed
canthus

The

of

the

basal joint

orbit,
isopen

a hiatus at the innerwhich they do not entirely

rather narrow, and

The internal antennoe
fossre.

infill.

somewhat round.

are lodged rather obliquely in large

The anterior

pair of feet nearly equal,

thewrist with a strong but notvery prominent tooth at theupper and anterior angle

the

the

upper

margin with;ahand smoothdoubleexternally,longitudinalcarina ;The second, third, and fourth pairs

the fingers toothed.

slightly compressed, the terminal joint very long, styliform,

somewhat four-sided

the fifth pair more compressed, the;terminal joint broader and flatter than in the others, forming an approximation to the more perfectly natatory form

observed in the other genera of the family.
The two last
joints of the second pair, and the three last of the fifthpair, ciliated on the under edge, and the latter also

upper edge of all the joints.
five-jointed,

on the

The abdomen, in the male,forming a slightly acute triangle fromthebase of the third joint ; in the female, it is seven-jointed,
broad, with rounded and ciliated margins,

the terminal

joint rather abruptly smaller than the preceding.

The general colour of this species is a blackish
darker anteriorly, and often dull red

underneathgreen,;

theyvary, however, considerably, both in the hue and in the

The young are often mottled withandsometimes almost wholly white, with perhaps
white,

intensity of the colour.

a single black spot on the centre of the carapace.

This

is

the only

known

species of the genus, and

is

/O

POBTUNIDJS.

undoubtedly the most common Crab of our shores. On
on sandy
every part of the coast, it is found in numbers;

beaches it is constantly left by the receding tide, concealing

under stones, and on being disturbed, either runs toitselfregainnaturalits

shelterthe retiring sea, or hastily

inburies itself completely in the soft sand.

by no means confineddredgedisintosandy shores

rather deep water, thoughformer situation.

in thethea power of remaining for

It

its

however,

is,

it

;

is

often

favourite haunt

Such habits as these requireaconsiderable

time

out

of

water, and we find this to be remarkably the case with thisspecies ;itcannot, it is true, like the land Crabs, live at agreat distance from the sea, requiring only the moisture ofa humid atmosphere, to preserve their branclme
fit

for respiration,

in a

state

but it will remain active for many hours,

and probably for days together, if it have the opportunityof burying itself in sand which is wetted with sea-water:

differing in this respectfrom the more typical forms of thefamily, which require constant immersion in deep water.
It will even, as Mr. Couch informs me, survive its im-

mersion in fresh water for several hours.

This Crab is much eaten by the poorer classes on the
coast, and great numbers

are also brought to the LondonOnmarkets, the flavour being very delicate and sweet.

some parts of the coast, a small black variety is found,which the fishermen consider as a distinct species, distinguishing them as the black and the green crab.
isThis variety

found in deeper water, and is believed to interfere withthe successof their prawning, byprawns, or frightening

eitherdestroying thethem away from the

pots.

It

is

certainly merely a variety.
Its food consists principally of the fry of fish, of shrimps,

and

other

Crustacea,

but

it

will

also feed

upon

dead

COMMON SHORE-CRAB.

79

and almost any other animal .substance.
Indeed,the most common method of taking these Crabs at Poole,
fish,

1

where numbers are caught by the fishermen's children, isby tying a mass of the intestines of either a fowl or ofand hanging it over the quay the
Crabs seize upon this bait, and are drawn up in consideraa

to

any

fish

ble

numbers.

line,:

Mr. Hailstonethat

states,they

attackmussels, and that he once saw one carrying about on

hand a mussel which had closed its shell upon it.
runwith considerable rapidity, andsidelong gait;

and they lurk

with

its

They

an awkwardin pools of water leftby thetide, partially concealed in the sand, but with the anterior

part of the carapace, including the eyes, exposed, so as towatch

approach of their small living prey, on
which they spring with great activity. They are, however,
for

the

very timid and wary, and will not move if they discoverthat they are watched.
They simulate death, if disturbed,
as completely as do many coleopterous insects.

The process of exuviation takes placeof the year, from spring to autumn.

Iatvarious parts

have found the fe-

male carrying spawn as early as April, and as late as September.

The eggs continue to increase in
rest of the Portunida, until

thesize in this and in theabdomen is forced back-an obtuse angle with the body. Like most of
the Brachyura, this species buries its ova in the sand

wards

to

;

and " when they are disengaged," says Mr. Couch, " theCrab stands high on the points of its legs, and employs acouple of them, one on each side, in working the loose tendrils towhich the ova are attached.''1

For the followinginteresting account of the development of this species,Tam indebted to the kindness of the same indefatigable observer.

" The

ova come to

life

in

about forty-eight hours

VORTUNID^I.

>SO

The following are my notes madeor less.

of observation on one that bred
clear that eachtoTheparent.

The ovum bursts on
the creature

which

is

In someitisenclosed as attached to theisovum after it has been thrown off.
the sides opposite to this thread, andprotrudes the abdominal portion, or that

firstbehind the carapace, and which in the ovum had

been bent underneath
it

it

so

;

appeared as

but in mostfirst ;It seems

has a thread, a portion of which

latterattached to the

seen

'
:

ovum has two investing coats, one proper

the other in whichit,the timeatin captivity

if

that

it

escapes

backwards.

the caudal extremity protruded

was the bent

and theportion,were in general bent up under the thorax.

legs

They seemed,

however, to find great difficulty in throwing off the loose

membrane of the ovum from the thoracic portion or caraand almostin doing this effectually, theon
too rapidly, in consequence
development, perhaps, goingof exposure to a warm sun.
I suppose, that in the na-

pace,

all

failedtural state this is effected in the sand, by creeping back-The eyes of these youngward, and thereby rubbing it off.

Crabs, at their first escape from theovum, are large andIn one or two instances, I thought I saw antennoc

sessile.

andbranchia?, or,

but

I

at

least,

theirprojecting

extremities ;

could not decidedly distinguish between them andthe legs.

The thoracic portion, or carapace, is somewhat

rounded, or at least ovoid.
pose them not developed.

I

could see no chela, and sup-The common legs seem bifur-

cate at the second joint from the extremity, and ending
ina fine point;or,perhaps, the bifurcationisat the root.

The abdominal and caudal portion is long and narrow, andalso

projecting,tion of themuchresembling the

Nebalia Herbstii.

metamorphosis, must take placecorresponding por-

A considerable change orinthese creatures before

COMMON SHORE-CRAB.

81

they assume their final form, thus confirming the views of
Mr. J. V. Thompson on this subject
though these little
;

Crabs

differmuch from the figures of the common edible

Crab (Cancer Pagurus), as given by that gentleman. 11
This detail will be found remarkably consonant with the

Zoea of this species, by Mr. H.
Groodsir,* who, however, gives figures of the more advanced development of the embryo and it is very interbrief descriptionof the;esting to observe these consentaneous accounts of the interesting fact, from two observers whose investigations werecarried on at a distance from each other, and without

anyintercommunication.
Itisremarkable that thisCrab,unliketheCancerand pugnacious, both during the proPagurus,
cess of exuviation, and after it is completed
and althoughisactive;insome cases it takes place in concealment, and even, as

Mr. Couch observes, whilst buriedinthe sand, yet theycertainly appear not to require such precaution, as

I

have

often found them running about both whilst the old crust isloosening, and in the soft state immediately subsequent toexuviation ; and it

is

not

uncommon for the males to seek

the females when the latter are in this condition.
*

See Jameson's Journal, xxiii. p. 181.

DECAPODA.

ORTUNIDJL.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS PORTUMNUS.
CANCER, (LATIFES),CANCER,PORTUMNUS,
PLATYONYCHUS,

Planci.

Pennant, Herbst.
Leach.
Latr. Edwards.

External antennce inserted at the inner

Generic Character.

canthus of the orbit, the basal joint small, not united to the front,
Internal antennte lying obliquely in their fossa?, which

moveable.

are but incompletely separated from theelongated,

emarginate at the inner margin aapex, for the articulation

External pedi-

orbits.

palps extending forwards to the antennary fossse;

the third joint

littlebehind theof the palpal portion, whichisthree-

Anterior feet sub-compressed, equal ; second, third, andjointed.

fourth pairs with the terminal joint compressed, narrow, lanceolate, that of the first rather broader ; the fifth pair with thepenultimate joint broad, rounded, and compressed, the terminal
acutely lanceolate, and broader than that of the other pairs. Carapace,aslong asisitbroad ;

front,

narrow, toothed ;latero-anterior margin arched ; the posterior half of the carapace gradu-

narrowed ; posterior margin truncate.
Orbils, with the upper
with
and
a
the inner canthus
concave,fissure,singlemargin evenly

ally

open.

Eyes, not larger than their footstalks, which are rather

slender and slightly curved.

the third and fourth joints

Abdomen, in the male, five-jointed,

much longer than they are broad, thethird being the longest ; in the female, seven-jointed, less thanhalf as broad asvery short, the

it

fifth

is

long, the second, third,

and fourth joints

transversely quadrate, the sixth and seventh

regularly diminishing to the apex.

83

PORTUMNUS.

have adopted some characters for this genus which
which
Avill
imply the necessity of separating from it speciesI

have been included by Edwards in the genus Platyonychussynonymous with Portumnus ofLeach.
The general form and habit of a large and very
handsome species, Platyonychus bipustulatus, Edw., must
whichof Latreille,isat once strike even a casual observer as very distinct

from

our species, on which Dr. Leach founded his genus ; andthe details ofimportant organs will offer no lessmany

I willstriking discrepancies.

now venture to place before

the reader some of these points in a parallel view, premising that I propose to consider our species as the typeof thePortumnus, and the other as that of a distinct

genus
name
genus, for which I would retain Dr. Milne Edwards'sof Platyonyclius.
PLATYONYCHUS.

PORTUMNUS.

Carapace one fourth broader than it

Carapace quite as long as it is broad,with the latero-anterior margins veryslightly toothed ;with

Orbitsathe front tridentate.
singleupper margin.
Sternum twice

fissuretheinlong ; the latero-anterior margin verystrongly toothed ; front quadridentate.

isOrbits with

two fissuresin theupper

margin.
is

Sternum not more than one third

Fifth pair of legs with the terminal

longer than it is broad.
Fifth pair of legs with the terminal

as

long

as

it

broad.

joint broad oval, very much rounded.

joint acutely lanceolate.

Abdomen in the male five-jointed ; theAbdomen inthemale seven-jointed;

terminal joint not abruptly smaller than

the terminal joint abruptly smaller thanthe preceding one.

the preceding one.

Abdomen in the female seven-jointed
nearly three

as

times

long asit;isthe sides parallel, as far as thethe terminal joint
fifth joint inclusive

broad

;

Abdomen in the female seven-jointed;
not half as long again as

it

is

broad

;

the fourth, fifth, and sixth joints form-

not abruptly smaller than the preced-

ing nearly a circle, posteriorly truncated ; the terminal joint only one- third

ing one.

the breadth of the preceding one.

;

Such are some of the most important characters in whichthese two forms differ,necessarytoconsiderand on which

them

I

have thought

as generically distinct.
G a

it

In

PORTUNID^E.

8-imany respects the British species more nearly resembles
Poli/bius Henslowii, than it does Platyonychus bipustulatus ;nor canI

imagine,one generic name,if

the two in question be reduced tohow

Polybius can consistently be con-sidered as distinct.
It is to be remarked, that Edwards throughout quotes
Leach's genus Portwmnus as Portunus, from which it isof course distinct ; and although it was perhaps undesirable
to give tospelt,

two genera so nearly allied, names

so similarly

yet I cannot consider this as a sufficient ground forchanging the generic name from Portumnus to Platyonychus, as Latreille has done.
I

have not had an opportunity of examining anrican species, first described

Ame-by Herbst, and afterwards by

Say, and referred by Latreille and Edwards to Platyonychus, under the name of PI. ocellatus, and therefore I am

unable to state positively its relations, particularly as theabdomen has not been described by either of the naturalists

who have noticed it.
belong to
genus.

But

I

believeitwill

be found to

Plati/onychus, as I have above restricted that

PORTUMNUS VARIEGATUS.

85

DECAPOD A.

POKTVNJDM.

BRACHYURA

Portutnnus variegatws.
Sjxcific cliaracler.
it isFront tridentate;

carapace heart-shaped, not broader thanlong ; terminal joint of the fifth pair of legs lanceolate.

Cancer latipes,

PENNANT, Brit. Zool. IV. t. i. f. 4. p. 5.

Portumnus variegatus,

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 391.
t.

EDWARDS, Hist. Crust. I. p. 430'.

Platyonychus latipes,

THE carapace

Malac. Brit-iv.

of this speciesisalmost evenly convex,

slightly granulated, heart-shaped, as broad as

itislong-,

the latero-anterior margins with the front almost continuously arched, the latero-posterior margins much contracted.

There are four small teeth on each latero-anterior margin,exclusive of the external angleof the orbit.

has three teeth, of which the middle one

is

The front
the longest.

The orbits are entire, the superior and the inferior margin
regularly concave, with a strong tooth at the outer, and asmaller one atisa considerable

filledwith the basal

and second joints of the external antennae.

The anterior

theinner angle ; there

hiatus at the inner canthus, which

is

86

PORTUNIDyE.

logs are of moderate length and size, rounded

and flattened on the inner sides;

on the outer,the wrist has a distinct

carina on the superior margin, whichisminates anteriorly in a sharp spine

the hand;ciliated,isand tercarinate

above and beneath, the superior carina being, like that of
the wrist, closely ciliated with short hairs, the inferior continued along the inimoveable finger, whichistriangular.

The moveable finger is considerably curved, with a furrowon the outer side;both are obtusely toothed.

The

re-

maining legs are slightly compressed, the terminal joints ofthe second, third, and fourth, very narrow lanceolate ; that

of

the

more broadly lanceolate, all acutely
The abdomen of the male is long and narrow,

fifth

pointed.

pair

the penultimate joint

That of the female

triangular.

onenearly quadrate, the terminalisbutlittlebroader thanthat of the male, the sides parallel as far as the fifth joint
inclusive,

which

is

transversely quadrate, the penultimate

and the terminal one diminishing almost regularly to theapex, which is slightly truncated.

The colour is very pale dull purplish-white, mottled witha darker hue.
Dr. Leach describes this species, with great truth, as oneof the most beautiful of the British Crabs ; but hetainlyin error when he calls it " the most common.''

is

cer-

1

It is

found along the whole of the western and southern coasts
but as far as;

my own experience goes, and that of othersof whom I have made the inquiry, not in the abundance

alludedgiving

to

its

by

my lamented friend.

Mr. Thompson,in

Irish localities, says very correctly, " It is occa-

sionally found thrown ashore on extensive sandy beaches."
It is

one of the more rare and local of the Irish species.
according to Dr. Leach, by digging beneath

It is taken,

PORTUMNUS VAEIEGATUS.

87

the sand at low water mark ; but there can be no doubtof its inhabiting also deep water, from the natatory character of the legs, all of which are terminated by a trueswimming joint, though less strikingly so than in some ofitscongeners.

DECA POD A

PORTUNIDJE.

.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS PORTUNUS, LEACH.
CANCER,

Linn. Penn. Hcrbst.

PORTUNUS,

Fabr. Latr. Leach, Edwards.

Generic Character.

External antenna placed in

the inner

canthus of the eyes, separating the orbits from the antennary
External pedipalps with the
fossae, which are open in front.
third joint quadrate,rior angle,

and either truncate

or notchedof the palp.

at theat the innerand ante-

inner margin, for the articulation

Anterior pair of legs generally somewhat unequal,

and the wrist armed with a strong spine at the superior andinterior angle ; hands slightly incurved, marked with elevated

The second, third, and fourth pairs of legs, with the lastlines.

joint long, styliform, slightly curved, and longitudinally grooved ;fifthpair formedforswimming, thebeing very flat, broad, and rounded.
long

and penultimate joint,

Carapace, rather broader thanthe latero-anterior margin four or five toothed, flattened,;

and thin ; the

two

last

front, horizontal,

projecting.

Orbits,above withbeneath towards the outer angle, with one fissure.

with a short peduncle.

Eyes,

Abdomen, in the male, five-jointed, trian-

gular ; in the female, seven-jointed.

The Crabs of this genus are capable of swimming withgreat ease, as the thin, expanded, fin-like form of the posterior

feet

would

indicate.

They

are

commonly termed

and, fromby the fishermen, swimming and flying Crabthe peculiar motion of their hinder feet, fiddlers.
Pen,nant gives the name of cleanser Crab to one species, andthe specific name depurator, given by Linnanis to a species

PORTUNUS.

89

of Crab presumed by Pennant and by Leach to be the one

would point to the same supposed office. Thatdotheyperform such an office in no very limited degree,
may be concluded from the localities in which they abound,in question,and the numbers

which they are found congregated.
In the refuse of the prawn and lobster pots, where theyinresort for the purpose of feeding on the often
half-putrid

garbage whichplaced there as bait, and amongst theismass of miscellaneous

filth sometimes
brought up by theofhundreds
thesecleansers
aredredge,frequently taken.

The genus Portunus

as establishedbyFabricius,

wasmuch more extensive than at present, including as it did
the whole of theswimming Crabs belonging tothis divi-

whole family of Portunida, as far as
they were then known, with the exception of Care-inns,
which forms one of the links by which the family of Cance-sion ;

in fact, theare united with the present group.

J'ORTUNIDJE.

DECA POD A.

PORTUNIDJE.

BRACHYURA.

VELVET SWIMMING-CRAB.
Portunus puber.
Specific character.

cent

;

Hinder feet with a longitudinal elevated line;

body pubes-

front with numerous small spiny teeth.

LINN. Syst. Nat. XII. 1046.

Cancer puber,

PENN. Brit. Zool. IV. p. 5. t. iv. f. 8.

vclutinuS)

LEACH, Malac. Podophth. Brit.

Portunus puber..

p.

t. vi.

ED\V. Crust.

I.

441.

THE carapace of this species is broader than it is longThe anterior margin
in the proportions of four to three.
forms the segment of a
portion is furnished withcircle,five

and each latero-anteriorstrongtriangular teeth, themargins of all of which, excepting theserrated, and the points are directed

theposterioristhenarrowest,

and

last,

are minutely

somewhat forwards
finely;acuminated.

The orbits are very large and open, both margins minutely

VFLVET SWIMMING-CRAB.

two ruther deep

denticulate, withfissures91
the upper,inand one in the lower

a strong denticulated tooth protects;
the inner canthus beneath.
The eyes are round, placed on
short and broad peduncles.

The front is very broad, armed
with a spine on each side of the centre, and a denticulated

triangular tooth at the exterior extremity, between which

are about three small pointed teeth.
tion of the carapace

is

The

broad, the surface

and covered with a dense,

posterior poris

granulated,

The

short, villous coat.

firstpair of legs are very robust ; the spines and processes very

markedstrongly;on the wrist are two spines, the outer

one simple and acute, the inner very strong, and furnishedwith two additional smaller teeth. The hand is furnishedwith a strong spine at the anterior and upper part, projecting over the joint of the moveable finger:

the elevatedportions are covered with large granulations.

The fingers

are longitudinally grooved, and furnished with strong

tubercularregularThe

second,slightly

teeth ;

third,

theand fourth

pointspairs

ir-moderately acute.
of legs

are

long,

grooved longitudinally, carinated above, and theterminal joint

is

long,

slender,pair has the last two joints

Theand pointed.

much flattened

;

fifth

the last but

one has four, and the terminal one three raised longitudinal

which are naked and polishedthey areboth furnished with a close firm fringe of hair, and the
The whole of the legs, as well as thelast is acuminated.
lines,:and thorax, are covered with a villous coat,
excepting on the elevated portions, which are generally
carapace

naked.

The abdomen in the male forms an acute triangle,

and each joint isfemale,it isslightly carinated transversely ;

in

the

broadly ovate.

The colours of this fine species are exceedingly brightand showy when it is alive, but soon fade after death.

92
Leach's figure, in his Malacostraca Britannia, is coloured

and exhibits a remarkable assemblage of hues,
the general tint being a reddish brown, and the naked
after

life,

portions a bright blue.

procured for it the English nameof Velvet Crab, and the French one of Grabe a laine.
Its velvety coat has

The Velvet Crab is found in considerable quantities, allalong the south-western coast of England.

and Devonshireitvery common

is;

In Cornwall

have taken

I

it

in

Swanage and Studland Bays, and on the southern coastof Kent, where, however, it appears to be more rare.

some otherspecies,itappears induring some seasons than

in

Like

much greater numbersothers.

Mr. Hailstone has

the following note respecting its occurrence at Hastings.
" In
July, 1834, several dozens were taken off Hastings,
to the astonishment of the fishermen,

them here
appeared.

;

who had rarely seen

and, since that influx, they have quite disThis advance and retreat is of frequent occur-

Mr. Embleton, in his list of the Crustacea foundrence."

on the coasts of Berwickshire and North Durham, mentions

its

recordsasexistence on

not uncommon.
all

Mr. Thompson

parts of the Irish coast ; andDrummond, that it is taken commonly
Bangor by boys, who find it lurking under stones instates,atoccurrence

its

after Dr.

Mr. Couch observes that it
rocky pools at low water.
found in the adult state at a few fathoms' depth, butisthat the younger ones are found at low- water mark amongst
stones,under which they conceal themselves.

I

have cer-tainly obtained the larger specimens at a considerable dis-

tance from the shore by dredging, as well as in lobster-pots.

The whole of theactivespeciesand pugnacious

timony of Mr. Couch,of this genus are
remarkably

but this is, according to the tes" the most active andfierce of the;

93

VELVET SWIMMING-CRAB.
family, running with great agility on

the appearance of

danger, but stopping and assuming an attitude of defence

when closely pursued.

It seizes

an enemy suddenly, andholds him with tenacity."

Carcinus Afcenas, and in the same way.

It is taken withI haveoccasionally seen

with that species;itbrought to the London market
in large quantities on

and it is taken

the French coast as an article of food.

It isby far thelargest of the family inhabiting the European coasts, being

often two inches and a half to three inches in length.

.

i

i

POBTUNID2B.

DECA POD A.

PORTUNID.E.

BRACHYURA.

WRINKLED SWIMMING-CRAB.
Portunus corrugatus.
Specifictransverse

numerous raised serrate-granular, hairy,
Carapace
front three-lobed, the lobes crenulated, the middle one thecharacter.
lines ;

Leach.

withlargest ; latero-anterior margin on each side five-toothed.

Terminal joint of theposterior feet, with a raised median and marginal line, lanceolate and mncronate.

PENN. Brit. Zool. IV. 5. t. v. f. 9. HERBST, t. vii. f. 50.
Trans. Linn.
LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 390.
Soc. XI. p. 315.
Malac. Brit. t. vii. f. 1, 2.
EDW.

Cancer corrugatus,

PortunusHist. Nat. Crust. I. p. 443.

THE carapace in Portunus corrugatus, is about four-fifths
as long- as

itisbroad, elevated, with the regions distinct,

and marked with numerous transverse elevated lines;

thefront is three-lobed, the lobes crenulated at the margins,Othe middle one the largest ; the latero-anterior margin five-WRINKLED SWIMMING-CUAJ?.
toothed,thecurved, andteeth

latero-posterior

95

directed forwards ;themargin abruptly narrowed behind the pos-terior lateral tooth.

The first pair of feet somewhat un-

the surface rugose ; the wrist with a long sharp

equal,

spine at the anterior and superior angle ; thesharp carina on

the upper side,

hand with aterminating in a sharp

tooth over the joint of the finger ; claws longitudinally sul-margins furnished with numerous tubercular teeth, of which those of the larger claw
cate, the superior curved, theand irregular, those of the smaller regular andthe second, third, and fourth pairs of feet hairy

are larger

small ;and lower edge, carinated above, and withat the uppertheelevated

lines

slender,and styliform

lines

along

;

sides,

theterminal joint long,the posterior feet with elevatedon the sides of each joint, the margins of the joint

ciliated, theterminal joint rather narrow, lanceolate, andmucronate.

The sternum is slightly rugose.

The abdo-

men in the male is triangular, in the femaleovate ; thefirst

to thefourth joints strongly carinated transversely ;the terminal joint forming an equilateral triangle.
In.

Length of the carapace
Breadth

.

.

.

The

colourisreddishbrown, oftenLines.

.18.

1

spotted.5

with abrighter red.

The characters of P. corrur/atus are so strongly marked
as to preclude the possibility of its being confounded withany other species. It belongs to the same section of thegenus as P. pul>er, and P. Rondeletii, characterised by elevated lines on the sides of the terminal and penultimate
joints of the fifth pair of feet, a character which, associatedwith a narrower form of these parts, would seemto indicate a somewhat inferior power of swimming.

as

it is

9G

PORTUNIDJ-:.
It mustgenus.

be considered as one of the rarer species of thePennant states that it was found " on the shores

of Skye, opposite toLoch Jurn."

This is the first accountwe have of its occurrence, and Herbsfs

isfigurecopiedLeach mentions specimens having beentaken by Mr. C. Prideaux in Plymouth Sound and I
have a fine female specimen from the same locality, given

from Pennant's.

;

me by my friend Dr. Miller, R.N. Mr. Couch, towhose kindness I am also indebted for a specimen, mento

tions it in his"

Cornish Fauna" as scarce on that coast.

It

has been found by Dr. Johnston in Berwick Bay, but is
rare.
It is an Irish species, as appears from the following
notice in

Mr. W. Thompson's account of the Crustacea of" The

only examples of this species which I
have seen, are some fine examples from Lame and CarrickIreland.

Ordnance Collection, and a single specimen
obtained on the Dublin coast, by Mr. R. Ball.
Mr. J. V.

fergus, in theThompson notices P. corrugatus as inhabiting the harbourof Cove ;but those so -namedinwrinkled variety of P. depUTatorT

his collection

are the

These arethe lo-allcalities that I

am acquainted with in which it has occurred

as a British

species ;but it is mentioned by Edwards as

being very common in the Mediterranean, although Risso
does not mention it, unless his P. Leachii be identical withwhich is possible, as the short description given of thatspecies agrees in every respect with P. corruaatus.
it,

97

ARCHED-FRONTED SWIMMING-CRAB.

PORTUNIDM.

DECA PODA,
BRACHYURA.

ARCHED-FRONTED SWIMMING-CRAB.
Portunus arcuatus.

Specific character.

Leach.

Front entire, arched ; latero-anterior margin five-toothed ;the penultimate tooth the smallest.

Portunus arcuatus,

Rondeletii.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. vii. f. 5, 6. W. THOMPSON,
Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. X. p. 283.
Id.
Risso, Hist. Nat. des Crust, de Nice, t. i. f. 3.
EDW. Hist.
Hist. Nat. de 1'Eur. Mend. V. p. 2.

Nat. Crust. I. p. 444.
Var. fronte emarginato.

Portunus emarginatus,

I

HAVE followed

LEACH, 1. c. vii. f. 3, 4.

MillieEdwards

inadopting the sug-of thegestion of Leach, that the Portunus emarginatus
In
latter is only a variety of his P. arcuatus.
retaining

H

98

PORTUNID.E.

name for the species, in which I have been pre-Leach'sceded by Mr. W. Thompson, of Belfast, I believe that I
follow the strict law of priority
as the early parts of the;"

Malacostraca Britannia)" were published in 1815, and" Histoire Naturelle des Crustaces des environs deRisso's"Nice

not until the following year.

Rondeletii is retainedby Risso

in his

The specific nameNatural History ofSouthern Europe, which was published in 1826, so that
he was either not aware of Leach's figure, or not satisfiedofits

specific identity withwards has

also

his

Risso's

kept

own species.

Milne Ed-namethe law

againstofpriority of description.

The carapace is four-fifths as long as it is broad

;

con-

siderably raised, the regions distinct, the surface granulated ; the anterior portion slightly scabrous;

the anterior

margin describing nearly a semicircular arch, of which thefrontforms a continuous portion ; latero-anterior marginon each side armed withfive

teeth, including that at theexternal canthus of the eye ; the fourth being the smallest,

and thein

Front entire, except
prominent and acute.
the variety named by Dr. Leach emarginatus, in which

it is

fifth

slightly excavated, the margin granulatedwith rather long hair;and fringed

the posterior portion of the cara-

pace broad, the posterior margin nearly straightwith two

fissures;orbitson the upper margin, and one beneath.

The anterior feet in the male very robust

the wrist armed;

the hand with
with a single prominent and acute spine
a double carina on the superior edge, each terminating in;a small tubercle;

the fingers strong, armed with numerous

tuberculous teeth, and each having two carinsc on the outerand a carina and a groove on the inner the remaining pairs of feet rather slender the third and fourth
surface,

;

;

99

ARCHED-FKONTED SWIMMING-CRAB.
the longest, and the second shorter ; thewith long hair

fifthpair fringed

the terminal joint lanceolate, very acute.

;

Abdomen in the male regularly triangularsemi-ovate,slightly

triangular.

The

carinated,;in theterminal

thecolour of this species

femalearticulationa dull blackish-isbrown above, paler beneath, and with a tinge of red ; thelegs paler than the body.

The

habits of this species are very similar to those of

the other species of the genus as far as they have hitherto

They are active, bold, swimming with agi-

been observed.
lity,

and seizing with great sharpness, and pinching severelywith their acute claws.

andtheir congeners ;at Bognor,

I

They are gregarious, like most offound them extremely abundant

where they constantly infest the prawn-pots

and, as the fishermen believe, keep the prawns from the bait.
I

believe this species will prove, upon further observa-

be more generally distributed than has hitherto
been supposed. Dr. Leach gives the more northern coasts
tion,

to

of Englandashabitat

usual

its

Poole Harbour, andI;

have dredged it inStudlandin the neighbouring bays of

Mr. Eyton sent
Mr. Couch does

and Swanage, and plentifully at Bognor.

mespecimens fromnot, however, give

does

it

occur in

it

Welsh

the

a place in his

the

late

it

" when" Cornish Fauna

;"

nor

Mr. Hailstone's MS. notes of

Crustacea taken at Hastings.
son has taken

coast.

In Ireland, Mr.W. Thomp-

dredging in deep water in theand Belfast ;" and he adds, " it wasof StrangfordloughsoOprocuredby our party when dredging

Roundstone Bays on the Western coast."
found it cast on shore at Portmarnock.
I

have never foundemarginatus.

the variety

in

Killeryand

Mr. Ball also

named by Leach P.

Of the hundreds whichI

have taken,

H2

all

100

PORTUNIDyE.

his P. arcuatus.

by him to
The original specimen of his emarginatus

in the British

Museum, and a figure of it is given below.

possessed the arched and entire front assigned

is

301

CLEANSER SWIMMING-CRAB.

PORTUNIDM.

DECA POD A.
BRACHYURA.

CLEANSER SWIMMING-CRAB.
Leach.

Portunus depurator.
Specific character.

Front armed with three triangular teeth, and a small one oneach side, over the inner angle of the orbit; latero-anterior margin with fiveTerminal joint of the posterior
teeth ; carapace irregularly granulate, scabrous.
feet broadly oval, smooth.

Cancer depurator, (?)
var.

Portunus depurator,

LINN. Syst. Nat. XII. 1043, 23.

PENN. Brit. Zool. IV. t iv. fig. 6. A.
LEACH. Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 390.
Soc. XI. p. 317.

plieatus,

Risso, Crust, deMerid. V. p. 3.

Trans. Linn.

Malac. Brit. t. ix. f. 1, 2.

Nice.

Id.

Hist.

Nat. de TEur-

EDW. Hist. Crust, I. p. 442.

THE carapace of this species is very uneven on the surthe regions being distinctly marked, and all theelevated parts scabrous, with unequal raised granules or

face,points,some round, others elongated.

The latero-anterior

102

PORTUNID^:.

margin on each side armed with five triangular teeth,
The frontslightly curved forwards and sharp pointed.
has three projecting

flat teeth,of which the middle one israther the longest, and a smaller one at the outer side, anda little posterior to these, over the inner angle of the orbit.

The orbits are large, opening forwards and upwards
eyes large and the peduncles very short.
slightly unequal, elegantly sculptured

;

the

;

First pair of legs

the wrist having thesuperior area granular, bounded by raised lines, of which theouter oneisfurnished with two or three small teeth, andthe inner terminates anteriorly in a sharp spine ; the handhasfive longitudinalraised lines, which are granular,slightly denticulate, and the superior one terminates

or

in a

small sharp spine over the joint of the finger ; the claws are
longitudinally carinated, and furnished with very distinct

rounded tubercles.

andare longThe

second,third,

and fourth

legs

slender, with a double carina running along

the superior edge, the terminal joint very long,and sharp pointed.

The fifth pair very much

slender,flattened,

the joints ciliated at the margin, and sculptured, excepting
the terminal one, which

abdomen

is

flat,

The

smooth, and oval.

both sexes has the second and third joints
That of the male is trianacutely carinated transversely.
in

gular ; that of the female very broad and ciliated withlong hairs ; the third to the sixth joints broader than thefirsttwo, the seventh abruptly narrower.

The colour is generally apale reddish brown ;

in

the

younger ones flesh-coloured.

The

sculpture in this species varies greatly in degree.

The specimen figured in Leach's Malacostraca, and which

may be considered as a fair representation of the ordinary
appearance of the adult individual, is comparatively smooth;whilst a younger one, which I have from the Mediterranean,

103

CLEANSER SWIMMING-CRAB.
is very

sharply and elegantly sculptured.

There is, in fact,no species of the genus, and scarcely any of the whole order,

more minutely and beautifully rethe hands
particularly the case withthe surface of which
lieved,andthis isand wrists, theisinequalitiesof which are most delicately

picked out.

The early synonymy assigned to this species by Leach
The figures todoubtful.
is, to say the least, exceedinglysynonymes of Cancer depuor three other species, withtwo
rator, may be referred to
But as Fabricius andquite as great probability as to this.

which Linnaeus

his

refers in

Leach have both appropriated thespecific

name of depu-

rator to the species, and as there is no proof whatever thatitwas originally given to another species, I have preferred

retaining it, to the adoption of thesequently assigned toitname of plicatus., sub-by Eisso, and continued by Ed-

wards.

In theThis is not an unfrequent species on our coasts.
occasionEmbleton
asMr.
recorded
been
it
has
north
by
ally broughtfrom deep water

to the nets of the fishermen.

Embleton Bay, adhering
Leach states that it is theinmost common of all the species of the genus; but likeothers it is local, although, like them, very numerous

manywhere it does occur.

This

is

confirmed by the observationof Mr. Ball, quoted by Mr. Thompson in his account of the"
Crustacea of Ireland.
have," says the latter gen"in the
it in
sea,

We

Strangford Lough,dredgedtheonandCounaught coast.
Down,

open

tleman,off

During someweeks spent at Bangor, near the entrance of Belfast Bay,in the autumn of 1835, I found this to be the most com-

mon species of Crab thrown by the waves upon the beach.
Mr. R. Ball mentions that the P. depurator
abundant whereitislocal,

does occur about Youghal."

I

but

have

104

PORTUNID^E.

dredged it in Studland Bay, in Dorsetshire ; but have notfound it on the coasts of Sussex and Kent, where I havefound other species in great plenty.
ever, states that

it is

Mr. Hailstone, how-frequently caught at Hastings in the

shrimping-net.

The habits of this species are doubtless similar to thoseof the rest of the genus.

Iam not aware of the period ofits

spawning in this country, but Risso states that it occurs

inMarch and December in the Mediterranean.

105

MARBLED SWIMMING-CRAB.

PORTUNIDJE.

DECAPOD A.
BRACHYURA.

MARBLED SWIMMING-CRAB.
Portunus marmoreus.

Specific

Leach.

Carapace even, very slightly granulated, without hairs

character.

latero-anterior margin

armed with five teeth on each side;;

front three-toothed,

the teeth rather obtuse, the middle one the longest ; hands with four carinae,

terminal joint of the posterior feet without raised lines,

slightly denticulate ;the apex mucronate.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. viii.

Portunus marmoreus,

EDW. Hist. Crust. I. p.

442.

THE general form and the whole
thiselegant species resemble so exceedingly thatkokatus, thatsiderof the characters of

them

I

am

almost imperatively forced

as varieties of one

species

of P.
con-

to

The carapace

somewhat convex, with the regions moderately distinct

;

is

the

1

06

PORTUNID^E.

surface obsoletely minutely granulated, smoothand naked,

with an arched line of very slightly raised points, separating
the branchial regions, and a sulcus be-

the hepatic fromand the genital.

tween thelatterwithacute flattened triangular teeth

fiverected forwards,
longest.

Latero-anterior margin:

the points di-

the last being the most acute and the

Posterior margin waved, broad, moderately hol-lowed at each

Front with three teeth, the middle

side.

all rather obtuse.
slightly longer than the others
the wrist with a roughAnterior feet strong, angularone;

irregularly rhomboid area on the upperby a raised

denticulatevery strong tooth.

line ;

surface,boundedthe anterior angle with a

Hands with four distinct carinse, which

are generally slightly denticulate ;the superior one

minating in a small sharp tooth.

Fingers longitudinallycarinated, strongly tuberculated ; the moveable one

curved.

ter-

much

The second, third, and fourth pairs of feet rather
the terminal joint curved, hairy on

slender, compressed ;the inferior edge ; the fifth pair having no raised lines on
the terminal and penultimate joints ; the whole fringed withhair ; the terminal joint very smooth, ovate

mucronate.

andslightly

Abdomen in the male, five-jointed, triangular;

the second and third joints transversely acutely carinated ;inthefemaleseven-jointed, also triangular, but broader,

and with the second and third joints similarly carinated.
In. Lines.

Length of the carapace
Breadth of ditto.

The colours of this

.

.

.

.

.

.

13
.1C

species are exceedingly varied

andbeautiful, particularly in the males. Buff, light-brown, deeper

brown, and brownish red are arranged over the carapace, in

The onlycanbemarkings
preserved is,varied but always exactly symmetrical patterns.

way

in \vhich these beautiful

107

MARBLED SWIMMING-CRAB.

by raising the carapace, taking out the soft parts and drying the specimens in a shady place in a brisk current ofair.
If
are put into spirit, the whole of the beauty

theyof the coloiir is lost.

The younger specimens do not possess these markings.

They are, as Dr. Leach has observed, of a plain brown
colour, and much resemble the fry of Portunus depuraton\
from which they may be easily separated by their more
It must be considered as one ofconsiderable convexity.
the more local species of the genus, occurring, however, in
It was firstconsiderable numbers in its favourite localities.

discovered by Montagu, who sent specimens to Dr. Leachand who appears, from Leach's quotation," Cancerto have named it,
pinnatus marmoreus." It isfor description ;" on thenot uncommon, according to the latter author,

sandy shores of the southern coast of Devon, from Torcross to themouth

Ex, andof the riverisfrequentlyof thefound entangled
fishermen, or
thrown on the shore after heavy gales of wind. It is in" Cornish
cluded in Mr. Couch's
Fauna, but without any
inthe shore-nets'

1 1

remark.

It does not appear to have been hitherto taken on

the coast of Ireland ; and Mr. H. Goodsir mentions it as notcommon as a Scottish species.
single specimen,
tacea,At Hastings, I procured awhich I found in a shop where shells, crus-

and other marine productions were sold, but it wascertainly native at that place ;and at Sandgate,

in themonth of May, 1844, I procured by dredging nearly four
hundred specimens

at

two

casts of the dredge, of which

about three-fourths were females.

Several of these werecarrying spawn, which is of a rich orange colour.
" cleansers"
It is very curious to observe how local theseare.

In the former year, at Bognor,

Iof Portumis Rondeletii, which absolutely

found multitudes

swarmed in the

108

POKTUNID/E.

prawn and lobster-pots, but not a specimen of any other
The place of these is supplied
species was obtained there.
Sandgate by the present species, whilst farther to thewest, P. piiber, and P. depurator appear to occupy theatground and perform the same important office of scavengers of the sea.

There is another fact relative tothis species

which

is

worth recording, and that is, the extent to which they are
infested with a remarkable parasite, occupying the space

between the folded abdomen and the sternum, and having the priind facie appearance of a bag of immature eggs.

Both males and females are equally obnoxious to itfromits size;andand situation it must present an insuperable
It consists principally of a mass

barrier to impregnation.

of minute eggs, which are arranged in bundles attachedto filaments, likebunches of grapes;

the alimentary canalpasses directly through the body, the mouth being attached to the intestine of the crab, which it pierces nearits

extremity, and from which, in all probability, it derives

its

nourishment.

The

anal

opening,

which

is

distinct

and obvious, is visible without removing the parasite fromits position.
is

The whole is of a rounded trihedral form, andcovered by a tough but thin integument.

casionally founditinfestingI

have oc-

Carcinus mcenas, but neverin such numbers as on the present species.

UV1D SWIMMING-CRAB.

109

DECAPOD A.

PORTUNIDM.

BRACHYURA.

LIVID SWIMMING-CRAB.
Portunus holsatus.

Fabr.

Specific character.
Carapace somewhat depressed, minutely granulated ; lateroanterior margin with fivestrong flattened teeth ; front with three nearly equal
teeth ; posterior margin
very largely emarginate at the angles for the hinder feet ;hands with denticulate carinae
carinas:;ioint, of thetho fifth pairnnir roundly
ronndlv oval,
oval, more thanlast joint

half as broad as long.

Portunus Jtol-satus,

I. p.

is

442.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. pi. ix. figs. 3. 4.

lii'idus,IT

EDW. Hist. Nat. Crust.

FABR. Suppl. p. 336. (Edw.)

extremely

difficulttoassignany very

tory distinctive character to this species.

blance to P. marmoreus,

which

I

have

in

at

least

satisfac-

Its great resem-

to all the

my possession, fully justify

specimens
thebelief

110

PORTUNIDJE.

that they

may be merely varieties;

although there arecertain comparative characters which, as they are pretty

constant,

rendershould betablished.

itnecessary thatfurther

investigations

made before their identity can be fully esThen the whole contour of the animal ismore strongly marked
are

in

more

the

present species ;

ginal

teeth

orbit

more distinctly granulated

prominent
;

;

the

the mar-marginsofthethe latero-posterior mar-gin much more contracted and more deeply emarginate at

the angles ;the outer carina of the hand, more strongly

denticulate ;and the terminal joint of the posterior feet

In otherrounder and broader in proportion to its length.
is so great in the form of all thethesimilarity
respects
parts, as fully to justify Dr.

Milne Edwards's remark of" extreme resemblance.""

It is matter of surprise that

their

Dr. Leach should not have observed this close relation ofthese two species ; but that he should, on the contrary, havestated that P. lividus \Jiolsatus\ most nearly resembles P.

depurator, a species from which, in fact, it differs most obIt is remarkable that the specimens of P. marviously.

moreus in the British Museum, which were collected by Dr.
Leach, differ much more from holsatus, than those which I

have myself procured;

the hand having in all those unarmed

carinse, and the upper margin of the orbit without granula-tions.

The

figuresinDr. Leach's beautiful work,also

magnify the distinctions far beyond the truth.

The occurrence of this Crab is extremely rare on ourcoasts ; Dr. Leach mentions his having found a single spe-cimen amongst a number of P. depurator that were takenin the Frith ofForth at Newhaven, and that he observed

another in the collection
fine series inofMontagu

;

but

there

is

a

the British collection of the British Museum,

which must have been procured after the " Malacostraca

Ill

LIVID SWIMMING-CRAB.

Britannisc"

was published.

Itisnot mentioned by Mr.

H. Goodsir as occurring within his notice on the
coast ;

Scottishnor does Mr. Couch give any account of its ocIn Ireland, however, according- tocurrence in Cornwall.

Mr. W. Thompson's statement, it has occurred repeatedly
but asitappears

to

me

faded

that

specimens

of

;

P.

marmoreus might be easily mistaken

for this species,

always desirable that they should becompared with thosewell distinguishedspecimens which exist in the

The following

Museum.

which I have referred.

isobtained

BritishMr. Thompson's noticeto"Templeton mentions it as foundhave dredgedon the shore at Dunfanaghy.'

by himit on more than one occasion
'

it is

it

We

in

Belfast Bay,and haveon the beach of Carnlough, county of Antrim.

In Mr. E. Ball's collection, are several specimens whichwere dredged in Dublin Bay.'"It ismentioned by Milne

Edwards as occurring on the French coast.

112

PORTUNID^E.

DECAPODA.

PORTUNIDM.

BRACHYURA.

DWARF SWIMMING-CRAB.
Portunus

Specific

character.

Carapace considerably raised, rugose

front three-lobed,;

much advanced ; latero-anterior margin with five teeth.
Portunus pusillus,

LEACH, Malac.

Brit. t. ix. f. 5

8.

EDWARDS,Nat.

Hist. Crust. I. p. 444.
mciculatus,

Risso, Hist. Nat. Eu. Merid. v. p. 5.

Roux, Crust.

Mediter. t. xxxi.

THE carapace of this species is broader than it is long,considerably elevated, anddistinct ;with the regions remarkably

the surface is rugose, and irregularly granulated.

The front is advanced much beyond the orbits, flattened,
and three-lobed, the middle lobe being longer than theothers:the latero-anterior margin has five teeth, (including

the outer angle of the orbit,) of which the posterior one isthemost acute, and the most curved.
isThe

posterioralmost straight.

The first pair of legs are large

the wrist

armed with a very strong spine

marginand robust;

ison the inner and anterior angle ; the hand has a double

DWARF SWIMMING-CRAB.
carina above

the

the

;

113

the fingers are strongly tuberculated, andmoveable one has a shallow longitudinal groove on
The second, third, andupper and outer margin.

The fifth

fourth pairs are slightly compressed and grooved.

pair has the penultimate joint grooved, and the terminal
joint is oval ; they are both ciliated all round.

The abdomen in the male
the

third

joint,

angled triangle;

broadest at the base ofis

the remainder forming a regular

acutethat of the female is ovate-lanceolate andciliated at the margin.

The colour is reddish-brown,

often with red spots on

In some specimens the colour is lighter, being
The legs are usuallyof a pale red with darker spots.
annulated with similar colours.

the back.

This very pretty species was first described by Dr.
in the eleventh volume of the Transactions of the

Leach

Linnean Society, underpresent name.

its

Subsequently

to this, Risso described it in his Natural History of South-

ern Europe, giving

it

name

the

Roux very improperlyof P. maculatus, which

retainedinhis

Crustacesde laMediterranee, notwithstanding he was aware of the priIt inhabits deep water, and isority of Leach's name.

common on the coast
occursinalong the

all

the

Frith

of Devonshire andof Forth, andby Mr. McAndrew

andsouthern coast,offI

the Isle

haveofCornwallis;italso foundspecimens taken

Man.

On

its

oc-

currence as an Irish species, Mr. Thompson has the fol" It islowing remarks,
ordinarily taken by us when dredging

in

the

Killeries

loughs of Strangfordinwell as inConnemara,
Dublin Bay.

it

has

it

in thesimilarly

In the South, too,taken in the harbour of Cove.

stomach of fishes

;

At

the

occurred,asand Belfast.

it

has been

I have several times takenin

one instance, in a Trigla

114
Gurnardus, taken in the open sea off Dover.
also in

11

It is foundthe Mediterranean, and off the coast of France.

spawns in June, and the eggs are of a reddish orangeItcolour.
Its ordinary sizeisabout four lines in length;

this isthe size of the figures of Roux, and of those of Leach ;grows much larger, as one of thespecimens, a male, taken by Mr. Me Andrew off the Isle

but

of

it

occasionallyMan, is fully anlength.

inch in breadth,by eight-tenths

inDECA PODA

1'Olt

.

TUNIDM.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS POLYBIUS.

LEACH.

POLYBIUS.

Leach, Edwards.

PLATYONICHUS.

Latr.

Generic character.

External antennae with the basal joint
with the remaining portion lodged

detached, moveable,

round,

in a hiatus at the inner canthus of the orbit,

which

it

does notfill.

Internal antennce in fossae, which are entirely open forwards.

Ei/eslargerthan their peduncles, which are short.

External

pedipalps with the third joint subquadrate, longer than broad,and slightly notched at its inner margin, near the anterior angle.

Carapace nearlyteriororbicular,slightly contractedAn-

posteriorly.

Second, third, andpair of legs equal, the pincers curved.

fourth pairs compressed, the terminal joint flattened, thin, broad,and lanceolate. The fifth pair with the penultimate joint muchflattened ; thepace muchterminal one very large, oval, foliaceous.

Cara-

semicircular.

Orbitsdepressed, the anterior margin

with two fissures in the superior, and one in the inferior margin
a hiatus at the inner angle, and a small tooth at the outer.
;

Abdomenof the male, five-jointed, thejoints very shortfemale,first,and third

second,and broad, and transversely carinatedseven- jointed,

the

sides

nearlyparallel

as

;

far

of theasthemiddle of the sixth joint.

The structure of this genus, of which a single species
only is known, is of a more decidedly natatory character
than any other brachyurous form found on our shores.
isIton this account that it has been with great propriety con-sidered as generic-ally distinct from Portumnus, with which,however, it stands in very near relation.
i

2

116

POBTUNID-dB.

DECAPOD A.

1'ORTUNIDA..

BRACHYURA.

HENSLOW'S SWIMMING-CRAB.
Leach.

PolyMus Henslowii.
Polybius Henslowii,

LKACH, Malac. Brit, t, ix.

B. EDWARDS. Crust. I. p. 439.

the only one of the genus at present
exthe
known, exhibits
natatory structure to the greatest
The
tent of any of the British examples of this family.

THIS species,

carapaceisremarkably

flat,even in the female, and theit is all over minutely
regions are very indistinctly marked ;is nearly orbicular ; the latero-anterior
Its
form
granulated.

a semicircle,
margins, with the orbits and front, forming
and the latero-posterior margins being but little contracted:

the frontisof whichflat, and has five teeth, the external

on each side belongs to the orbit

margin has
forwards.

five

flat

teeth,:

thelatero-anterior

the points directed somewhat

117

HENSLOw's SWIMMING-CRAB.

The first pair of legs are nearly equal:

the wrist has

two sharp teeth on the anterior margin, of which theinner is much the more prominent, and a third tooth isfound at the outer and anterior angle, which forms thecommencement of a carina, which extends the whole length

The handof the wrist.

but sharp longitudinalbeing slightly hollowediscompressed, and has three low

carinee,:the fingers aremuch compressed,

somewhat incurved, as long as the hand.
lowing pairs are

two joints

much compressed,

the terminal one

;

them

spaces betweentheThe three fol-

particularly the

last

and

lan-

being very thinceolate.

The last four joints are ciliated on the inferior

margin.

The fifth pair have the last two joints very broad

and flat;the penultimate being irregularly quadrate, andterminal

theone broadly oval,slightlyof which thefirst,

second, and the base of the third aretransversely carinated ; the third jointisbroadest at theand becomes moderately contracted with a

base,

notch

acuminated at

The abdomen in the male consists of five joints,

the apex.

;themale, the

fifth

is

rather acutely triangular.

abdomen is seven-jointed

;

the

first

slightIn thefe-three joints

transversely carinated; the fifth joint suddenly smaller thanthe preceding one, and obtusely triangular.

Thecolourisa rich reddish-brown, which becomes apale salmon-colour in drying.

The under parts are pale.

Of this species, which is very local in its distribution, andprobably nowhere existing in great numbers, thereisaspecimen in the Banksian collection in the Linnean Society,which was taken on the coast of Spain.

It was first disco-vered on our shores by Professor Henslow in a herring-net,
on the north coast of Devon, in 1817, and by him com-

who named the species after its
discoverer, assigning to it also a new generic appellation.
municatedIt

to Dr. Leach,

was afterwards found by Mr. Prideaux on the south-

118

PORTUNIDJE.

western coast of Devon;

also in herring-nets on the Dorset-

of fishermen,

shire coast, amongst the refuse of the nets

bythe late Rev. Dr. Groodall.

I

have also obtaineditat Hastings, and received it, by the kindness of Mr. Couch,from Cornwall, and by my friend Mr. Dixon, from Worthing.

The following observations on the habits of this species
and as thisare from the Cornish Fauna of Mr. Couch;gentlemanappears to be the only one who has ever ob-

servedhabits, I make no apology for quoting his ac-

its

count entire.

" Thisis,more than any others, a swimming-

crab ; for whilst the other British species of this family are

only able to shoot themselves from one low prominence toanother, the Nipper Crab, as our fishermen term it, mounts
to the surface over the deepest water, in pursuit of its prey ;among which are numbered the most active fishes, as

thethe skin of which
Mackerel and the running Pollockitpierces with its sharp pincers, keeping its hold until its;

terrified victim

We are witnesses of

becomes exhausted.

this curious method of obtaining food in the summer only,atwhich time the fishermen's nets intercept them andand it is probable, that in colder

their prey together ;weather, they keep at the bottom in deep water, fromwhich, however, I have never seen them brought in thestomachs of fishes.

So far as my observation extends, it ischiefly or only the male that pursues this actively preda-

ceous existence ;but thatfor

as appears

from thefact thatquiet,

a time they also remain
while for the mostpart the smooth and flattened carapace

isclean,

I haveseen it covered with small corallines."*This interesting narrativeisperfectly consistent withthe remarkable natatory structure of the species, evincedinthe form of the carapace and

legs,

the

structureof theand with the sharpness and strength of the claws.
*

Couch's Cornish Fauna, p. 71.

PINNOTHERIDM.

DECAPODA.
BRACJJYURA.

GENUS PINNOTHERES, LATR.
CANCER,

Linn. Fabr. Herbst, Penn.

PINNOTHERES,

Latr. Leach, Edwards.

Generic character.

External antennae very short, occupying theExternal pedipalps oblique ; the second articulation rudimentary, the third large, and forming thewhole valvular portion the fourth inserted at the extremity of

inner canthus of the orbit.

;

the previous one ; and the fifth giving attachment to the sixth
at the middle of its anterior margin, resembling

didactyle hand.

thethumb of aAnterior legs equal, the remaining pairs some-what compressed ; the terminal joint acute, curved, andstrong.

Orbits nearlyEyes inserted on very short peduncles, distant.
circular.
Carapace nearly circular, rounded at the anterior margin.

Front not united to the epistome. Abdomen seven-jointed
male small, of the female extremely

in both sexes ; that of thebroad, round, and prominent.

THE species of this genus are very remarkable from thepeculiarity of their being indebted toanimals of a very

different class for protection, although not truly parasitic.

They are found always to inhabit the shells of the Bivalve
Mollusca, principally of the genera Mytilus, Modiolus, andPinna, and occasionally also of Ostrea, Cardium, and othergenera and this habit, which was well known to the;some interesting and curious hypotheses and fables, which will be alluded to hereafter.
The

ancients, gave rise tomales are always very much smaller than the females, and1

20

PINNOTHERID.E.

the crust of the former is as hard as in other brachyurous

forms ; but the femaleiscomparatively very large, almost

globular, and remarkably soft ; the latter character being

doubtless the cause of its requiring the efficient protection

In other allied forms a some-of the shells of Mollusca.

what analogous habit is observed;

the soft body of Ela-and Hymenosoma demanding extrinsic protection,
which they obtain by appropriating to themselves small
single shells of dead acephalous Mollusca, as I have mytnene

self seen in several instances,a fact which affords a col-lateral argument in favour ofMilne Edwards' s association

1of these different genera in one family.

The species of the present genus even yet require careful
revision ;and I have found it necessary to comprehend thewhole of Dr. Leach's
ever,

I

six

species in two,

which, how-have not done without the most deliberate con-sideration.

COMMON

121

PEA-CRAIf.

DECAPODA.

PINNO THERIDsE.

BRACHYURA.

1

Pinnotheres Latreillii.

3 Pinnotheres Pisum.

2 Pinnotheres varians.

Leach.

Leach.

4 Pinnotheres Cranchii.

Leach.

Leach.

COMMON PEA-CRAB.
Pinnotheres Pisum.
Specific character.

Front of the male projecting ; carapace of the female uni-

formly rounded at the anterior margin;abdomen in the latter sex broader than

it is long.

Cancer Pisum,

PENNANT, Brit. Zool. IV. t. i. f. i. p. i.
I. p.

Pinnotheres Pisum,

HERBST,
FABR. Suppl. Ent. 343.

95, t. 2, f. 21.

LATR. Hist. Nat. desMai. Brit.

t.

xiv.

f.

Crust. VI. p. 83.
2,

3,(fern.)

LEACH,EDWARDS,

Hist. Nat. des Crust. II. p. 31.

Lutreillii,

LEACH, 1. c. fig. 4, 5, (fern.)
LEACH, 1. c. f. 6, 7, 8, (mas immat. ?)varians,

LEACH, 1. c. f. 9, 10, 11. (mas.)

Cranchii,

THE sexes in all the species of this genus differ so remarkably, that a separate description is necessary.

MALE.

(Figs. 1 and 2.)

The carapace is nearly orbicu-

122
lar,

PINNOTHERIDjE.

very slightly narrowed forwards, convex, glabrous, andsolid ;

the front projecting, arched, and entire ; the latero-

The eyes small, round,posterior margin slightly hollowed.

Sternum large and orbicular. Anterior feet robust, the hands large, ovate, with two lines ofand filling the orbits.

hairs beneath ; the fingers much curved, the moveable one

with a single tooth. The remaining pairs of legs fringed
with hair both above and below, terminating in a hookedclaw.

The abdomenisbroadest at the third joint, be-comes narrower from this to thelittle broader, andfifth,

the sixth is a very

the last abruptly narrower.

FEMALE. (Figs. 3 and 4.) The carapace

in

this

sex

is

nearly orbicular, rather broader than it is long, without any
projecting front, or hollows at the latero-posterior margin,soft and glabrous.

The hands are oblong, weak, and fur-nished beneath with a single line of hairs.

The remaining

legs slender, the thighs fringed with a line of hairs on theupper side only.

Abdomen very large, broader than it islong, almost evenly rounded.

The colour of the male varies

;

it

is

usually of a paleyellowish grey, with rather darker symmetrical markings.

The female is ordinarily slightly transparent, brown above,a yellow spotover the front,

and anirregular

one oneach branchial region ; the abdomen yellow, with a central
large triangular brown spot extending from the base nearly
to the extremity.

In accordance with the opinion of Mr. W. Thompson, I

cannot but believe that the individual figured by Leachunder the name of P. Latrcillii, which he considered as animmature female,wards, is in fact ainwhich heyoung male.

consistence of the carapace,isfollowed by Milne Ed-

The form and apparent

the form of the hands, andthe colour, are all in favour of such an opinion.

The form

COMMON PEA-CRAB.

123

of the abdomen is not at all at variance with it, as in
species this part

is

many

very similar in the young of the twosexes.
It is very remarkable that

Leach should have failed todetect the male and female of this very common species as

being specifically

identical.

They

are

frequently foundtogether, and yet he describes the female as one species,

P. Pisum, avowing his ignorance of the male, and the male
P. varians, acknowledging himself similarly" unlessshe be P, Pisum."
unacquainted with the female,as another,

After a careful examination of the subject, I have come tothe conclusion that the first four species of Leach arean opinion in conformation withbe referred to one ;

to

all

that of Dr. Edwards.

This species of Pinnotheres
theisvery commonly foundincommon mussel, Mytilus edulis, on many parts of ourcoast ;

andespecially in those which are found in rather

deep water. On one occasion I dredged great numbersof these Mollusca on the coast of Dorset, and foundby far the greater number of them with one
theselittlefemales aremuch more common thanlatter sex I have occasionallyshells,or

two ofsoft-bodied crabs within their shells ; for thethe former never.

the males.

Thetaken apart from the mussel-

They also inhabit the shells of

Modiolus vulgaris, and occasionally also the common cockle,

Cardium edule, in which I have now and then found them,as well as very rarely in the oyster, in which Mr. Ball also
states that he has takenthem.

The following account ofsome circumstances respecting this crab is extracted frommy friend Mr. W. Thompson's observations on the Crustacea of Ireland,* andistoo interesting to admit of being

curtailed.
* " Ann. andMag. Nat. Hist." vol. x. p. 284.

]

PINNOTHERIDJE.

24" The smallest Pinnotheres

Mr. Hynclman,

in a livingI

have seen was found by

Cardium exiguum, dredged by

us in Strangford Lough in October, 1834.

It isa male ;the carapace is under a line in length ; the entire breadthof the crab from the extremities of the outstretched legs
three lines.

isThe cardium is under three lines in length,and barely exceeds that admeasurementinbreadth;sothat the crab when in the position just mentioned must
have, on both sides, touched the walls of its chosen prison.

The Pinnotheres likewise inhabits the Cardium, edule.

Be-

me is one of these crabs, of which the carapace isfore

two lines

grown

C.

in breadth, obtained

edule

by Mr. Hyndman in a fullfrom Strangford Lough;but from the

Sligo coast, where this crab attains an extraordinary large

a crab with a carapace four lines in breadth, andsize,with outstretched legs seven lines across, was once kindly
Mr. R. Ball informs
brought to me by Lord Enniskillen.

me that on two occasions he obtained a great number ofthePinnotheres,and which weretencockles

contained

a

crab.

all

males, from theabout nine out of every

Cardium edule taken at Youghal,On

opening oysters in

Tenby, in Wales, he has likewise procured the Pinnotheres.
This crab, like the Pagurus, occupies different species ofaccording to its size, and at every age generally
selects such as with outstretched legs it would fill fromshellsside to side."
It is a point of considerable interest as

connected withformed one of the subjects of Mr.
Vaughan Thompson's investigations on the transformations
thisspecies,that

itof Crustacea, and the description with figures of the Zoea
of Pinnotheres as given in a paper"
theEntomological Magazine."* Vol. iii.
p. 85.

by that gentlemaninCOMMON PEA-CRAB.

125"

As the females are found with an amazing group of
ova under their abdominal plate," says this author, " inspring, summer, and autumn, it is probable that they haveThis circumstance renders it noseveral successive broods.
difficult matter toselecta number of females with mature

ova at any convenient time, and to preserve them alive
in sea water for a few days, or until the ova should hatch.
" Fromseveral females selected and kept alive after theabove manner, I had the satisfaction to see the ova hatch
in greatnumbers, under the form of a new kind of Zoe,

differing

from

all

those

previously discovered, with

thefront and lateral spines deflected, so as to resemble a tripod.

In this stage the minute animals are

all

like

the Zoea,

purely natatory, disperse themselves abroad, probably undergo a further change, and may be supposed to gain aneasy access within the bivalve

shells, before they lose theirpower of swimming."
I add acopy of Mr. Thompson's figures of this interesting state of the animal, the accuracy of which I can attest

from my own observation.

126

PINNOTHEIUDyK.

DECAPODA.

PINNO TIIERWM.

BRACHYURA.

i. a.

Pinnotheres vetemrn.

Leach.

Male and Female.

PINNA PEA-CRAB.
Pinnotheres veterum.

Specific character.

Female.

emarginate.

Male.

Carapace subquadrate, rounded, the front slightly
broader than it is long ; abdomen broadly

Carapace

ovate, longer than it is broad.

Pinnotheres veterum,

Bosc, Hist. Nat. des Crust. I. 243.
Brit. t. xv. f. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

LEACH, Malac.

Emv. Hist, des Crust.

II. p. 32.

Pinnae,Mantagui,

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 431. V. THOMPSON, Ent. Mag. III. p. 89.
LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. xv. f. 6. ED\V. 1. c. p. 32.

THE male of this species has the carapace less solid than
P. Pisum, rather hroader than it is long, rounded, slightly
quadrate, with the front slightly emarginate ; the hands
are ovate, with the fingers arched ; the remaining feet very
similartothose of P. Pisiun.

The abdomen graduallyand evenly decreasing towards the extremities, the

last

127

PINNA PEA-CRAB.

In the variety

joint evenly rounded, nearly semicircular.

termed P. Montagui by Dr. Leach,broader.

this joint

In the female the carapace

abruptlyrounded, broader

isthan it is long, very minutely punctulateisthe front trans-;verse,

at the middle.
slightly arched, scarcely emarginate" The

anterior

with a small spine on the inferior

feet

The abdomen

margin of the hand."broadest at the fourth andfifth joints,

isevenly ovate,broadly carinate

along the middle, the last joint emarginate.

Colour in both sexes almost uniformly brown.
This species differs sufficiently from the former, in either
sex,

to be

distinguished at the

firstglance.

Its habits,

however, are perfectly similar, as far as we have an opportunity of knowing them, but
the other on our coasts.

itismuch less common thanIt was first discovered to bean

English species by the indefatigable Montagu, whoboth sexes in Pinna: from the Salcombe Estuary in Devon-

foundshire ;

anditsame locality.
on the Irish

was subsequently taken by Cranchin theVaughan Thompson records its being found" both in Pinna and in Modioli^
It
coast,

has not, as far as

am informed, been found on any otherInorpart of the English coast but that already mentioned,
has it yet been taken in Scotland.
Its favourite

assigned toit,haunt justifies the name which Leach first

P. Pinna; although he afterwards very

name previously given to it by Bosc.
Pinna ingens, both on our coast and inproperly adopted the
It is found in theit

has also been taken in Modioli, andin the common oyster.

There can be no doubt that it was

the Mediterranean ;of this species that the ancients, aware of its peculiar modeof existence, formed such absurd notions.

It is not, in-deed, wonderful that with such imperfect ideas of the value

and bearing of natural phenomena, and with a love of the

128

PINNOTHERID^E.

marvellous, which no Baconian philosophy then existed tocorrect, the relations of these little interesting parasites totheir gigantic

hosts should have given rise to legends as

and we find that Cicero andamusing as they were false ;Pliny and Oppian have, in various degrees, given currency
to the most erroneous notions.
Aristotle, indeed, withaccustomed accuracy,

hisfirst,

and alone amongst thebutoffered any correct ideas of their habits
detheshell-fish
he
that
the
life
of
stateseven
protecting

ancients,

pends for:its

absurdities

continuance on that of itsof theotherancient

named, are only worthy ofrecitalasguest.

The

whom I

have

littleauthors

examples of thedanger of trusting to the assertions and conclusions of those

who have no general principles to guide them,a danger

not even in the present enlightened age, altogether to beneglected as chimerical.
I

have thoughtitnecessary, on the most mature con-Montagui of Leach as aa result to which I am led by asideration, to merge Pinnotheres

synonyme of this species,

careful examination of the single

specimen on which that species

was founded, and which is in
the British Museum.

The sole

appreciable distinction between

them is the enlargement of thelast joint of the abdomen in P.

Montagui, a character which
probably depends on age the;individual in question isa male, and is a little larger than

Milne Edwards speaks
the ordinary males of P. veterum.
"ofP.
femaleof theMontagui ," being probably misledof the maleby a cursory observation of the enlarged viewin Leach's plate.

GONOPLACID&.

DECAPODA.
BRACHYURA.

GENUS GONOPLAX, LEACH.
Pennant.

CANCER,Fabr.

OCYPODA,

Bosc, Latr.

GONOPLAX,

Leach, Edwards.

Generic character,

External antennae long, slender, setaceous,the basal joint not notably broader than the following.

antennae lying in transverse

cells.

Internal

External pedipalps with thethird joint transversely subquadrate, the anterior inner angle trun-cate for the insertion of the palp.

Anterior feet equal, extremely

long in the male, nearly cylindrical ; the remaining pairs somewhat

compressed, the fourth pair the longest, then the third, thefifth,

Carapace quadrate, much broader than it is long,narrowed behind ; the fronto-orbitar margin extending the whole

and the second.

breadth.

Orbits long, transverse, open, terminating at the externalangle of the carapace.
cles.

Eyes

small, with extremely long pedun-

Abdomen in both sexes seven-jointed.

130

GONOPLACID.E.

GONOPLACWJE,DECA PODA.
BRACHYURA.

ANGULAR CRAB.
Gonoplax angulata.
Cancer angulatus,

FABR. Suppl. p. 341.

PENN. Brit. VI. Zool.

IV. p. 7. t. v. fig. 10.

HERBST, t. i. f. 13.
I. p. 198.
LATR.

Oeypoda anyulata,

Bosc. Hist. Nat. des Crust.

Gonoplax anr/ulata,

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. 430. EDWARDS,
Hist. Crust. II. p. 61.
COUCH, Cornish

Hist. Nat. des Crust. &c., VI. p. 44.

Fauna, p. 72.
bispitiosa,

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. xiii.

?

Gelasimus Bcllii,

COUCH, Corn. Faun. p. 73.

?

Gonoplaa' rhomboides,

Roux, EDWARDS, &c.

THE carapace is half as broad again as it is long, broader
across the anterior margin than at the posterior, roundedfrom before backwards, nearly even from side to side ; theanterior outer angle

with a prominent andacute spine.

ANGULAR CRAB.

131

and a smaller one behind it on the lateral margin. Front
orbits directly transverse, open
entire, incurved, broad;

directly forwards ; eyes on long peduncles, and protectedby thelatero-anterior spines.

The anterior legs

in

the

male four times the length of the carapace ; those of thefemale much shorter, as are those of the young male.
The
arm cylindrical, curved, armed with a small spine near the

middle of its upper side ; a still smaller spine on the inner

margin of the wrist the hand gradually increasing in size
towards the extremity, rounded, somewhat flattened at;

the sides ; fingers finely toothed, and with a few larger
tubercles ;

the

in

older individuals separated for nearly

The remaining feet long, slender thesecond and third pairs with the last three joints hairy on

half their length.

Abdomen of the male triangular from the third

the edges.
joint to;forming nearly anof the female broadly oval
boththe extremity, the last joint

equilateraltriangle ;fringed with

:

hair.

Colour dull yellowish red.

The moveable finger, in themale only, blackish.
It was not until this speciesin

was obtained by Montagu

the Estuary of Kingsbridge, Devon, thattained to be British.

Since that period

it

it

was

ascer-

has beenre-I havepeatedly taken on the southern parts of the coast.
it through the kindness of Mr. Couch from Corn-receivedwall, andfrom the coast of Wales, whereby Mr. Eyton

;

but

I

was procured

am not aware of its having beenfound on the eastern coast, nor havebeen taken in Scotland.

itI

heard of its having

In Ireland we have the following

records of its occurrence from Mr. W. Thompson's accountof the Crustacea of that portion of the kingdom.

" Mr. J.

V. Thompson's collection contains an Irish specimen of
Mr. R. Ball has found theCrab, marked 'rare.'

this

K 2

132

GONOPLACID-(E.

species in the stomachs of cod-fish, purchased in the mar-ketsof Youghal andand commonly in thosefour of these Crabs is the

Dublin,brought to the former place
greatest number he has obtained from the stomach of a:single fish.

In the Ordnance Collection

labelled as procured at
It is

'

is

a fine example,

Bangor, January, 1836."'a Mediterranean species, and is found also on thenorth-west and southern coasts of France, according to theobservation of Dr. Milne Edwards.
I

cannot but believe that the

Gonaplax rhomboides ofRoux and other authors, is merely a variety of this species,in which opinion I concur with

Mr. W. Thompson. Should

further observations, however, prove that
is

it

is

distinct,itprobable that the Gelasimus Bellii of Couch's Cornish

Fauna will prove to be the female, or young male of thatspecies.
It

is

found

in

moderately deep water;and Leachre-"cords on the authority of Cranch, thatthey live in excavations formed

the hardened mud, and that

in

their

habitations, at the extremities of which they live, are open
at both ends."

They appear to constitute a favourite foodof the cod and other fish, as, in addition to the observationof Mr. Ball quoted above, Mr. Couch states that it is often

taken in their stomachs.

t.

-.

M.SL

,

.

....

DECA PO DA

GP A PSTDsE.

.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS PLANES, LEACH.
Herbst, Fabr.
CANCER,
Latr. Roux, Leach.
GRAPSUS,
Leach, Bowdich.
PLANES,NAUTILOGRAPSUS, Edwards, Mac Leay, Goodsir.

Generic character.

External antennce lying at the exterior of

the antennary .fossae, the basal articulation nearly horizontal, extending obliquely forwards and outwards, the outer extremity the

moveable portion very short, setaceous, the joints

narrowest ;itsrounded.

Internal antennce foldedtransversely inthefossae,which are covered by the lamellar front, and separated by a broadto the front.
process extending from the epistome

palps with the third joint broader thanExternal pedi-

long, broadly and not

it is

Ante-

deeply emarginate at the inner half of the anterior margin.
hand inflated, the fingers

rior legs robust, rounded, smooth, thesomewhatinflected, slightly toothed ; thecompressed.
orbicular.

remaining pairs

convex,rounded,much

quadrate-

Carapace depressed,
Front broad, lamellar, bent somewhat downwards.

Orbits distant, open above.

Abdomen seven-jointed in both sexes ;in the male acutely triangular ; in the female, nearly orbicular.

THIS genus, the only representative of the family GRAPSID^E known to have been found on

our coasts, has hitherto

been but very imperfectly elaborated.
the speciesismuch involved, and it is almost impossible

satisfactorily to
less

The synonymy ofdisentangle

it.

than three or four species,Ibelieve there

are not

the whole of which arefound floating about amongst the sargasso or gulf-weed

GENUS PLANES.

134

Fucus vagans, or attached to the bodies of the large
The figures of Linnaeus in his " Itermarine turtles.
Wcstrocr."
O" Excursions in Madeiraof Bowdich in theand Porto Santo," the descriptions of Say, of Edwards, of

Mac Leay, and others, only tend to show that there areseveral species in existence, but do not diminish theculty of distinguishing them.

occasion

toattempt

their

It is notdiffi-

intended on thisdiscrimination ; but

it

would

be very desirable that the task should be undertaken bysome one having the means at hand of comparing a great

number of specimens.
inthe British

There is a good collection of themMuseum, and I havepossess three species inlittledoubt thatI

my own collection.

I have thought it right to restore the generic name ofPlanes to these Gmpsida, because it was not only applied

tothem by Leach in his MSS. in the British Museum,in his book above referred to.

but adopted by Bowdich

Whether Leach had ever published any account of thegenus under the name Planes or not, I have not been able
toascertain ;

but

it

is

highlyprobablequoted it from some such authority.

that

Bowdich135

FLOATING GEAR.

GRAPSIDX.

DECA PODA.
DRACHYURA.

FLOATING CRAB.
Planes Linnteana, Leach.

? Cancellus marinus minimus qwdratus,

SLOANE, Nat. Hist. Faun., II. p. 270.
t.

ccxlv. fig.

1.

Roux, Crust. Mediterr. t. vi. figs. 1 6.
FABR. Syst. Ent. XI. p. 443, ejusd.

?

Grapsus testtidinum,? Cancer minutits,

Suppl. 343.

HERBST, I. t.

ii.

fig.

32.
?

LATR. Hist. Nat. Crust. VI. p. 68.

Grapsus,

SAY, Journ. Acad. Sc. Phil. p. 99.

ci'itereus,?

EDW. Hist. Crust. II. p. 90.
LEACH, MSS. Brit. Mus.

Naulilograpsus minutus/'lanes Linnceana,

THE carapace in this species is nearly quadrate, with the
sides

orly

:

somewhat rounded, and slightly contracted posteriit

is

of a

generally depressedsmooth but not polished

;

form

;

the

surfaceand there are on the posterior

part of the branchial region several faint stria;, occupying
the place of those which are so conspicuous in the genus

Grapsus, and some other forms of this family.

The front

136
islamellar, broad^ projecting, slightly inclining, and entire.

The orbits open above, with asmall tooth at the outerof the lateral margin
angle, forming the anterior angle:

immediately behind this tooth is a very slight depression.

The external antennae are ex-

The margins are very entire.
tremely small.

The antennary fossse are separated from theorbits only by the basal joint of the external antennse, whichscarcely fills up the hiatus.

The anterior legs are robust,and, ordinarily, nearly equal ; the arm is distinctly denticulate on the anteriorand slightly so on the inner margin;

the wrist has a minute tooth on the anterior inner andouter angles ; the hand is smooth, very slightly granulated

beneath, rounded and inflated ; the fingers somewhat in-curved, furnished with small tubercular teeth.

mainingpair of legs

are

The

considerably compressed

;

re-

the

upper edge of the last three joints fringed with stiff hairs ;the inferior edge of the last joint, and the last but one,furnished with sharp spines, of which there are often twoor three also on the upper edge of the last joint near the
point, which terminates in a sharp spine.

the

male

the

first

is

triangular,of whichis

The abdomen informed of seven smoothjoints,transversely carinated ; that of thefemale is nearly orbicular and very slightly raised along thecentre.

The colour is very various

in different individuals.

In

those which are marked in the British Museum as English,itisof an uniform brownish buff ; in others grey, mottledwith brown:but the most beautiful are those in which theupper parts are mottled withvarious shades of reddish

brown and rich dark brown, with blotches of yellow orbuff; the legs being
colours.
species.

marked with obscure bands of similar

These, however, doubtless belong to a distinct

FLOATING CRAB.

37]

The carapace in the largest specimens in my possession,
which are from the gulf-weed floating in the Atlantic, istheeight-tenths of an inch long, and the same broad:

femalesthan the males.

smallerIn the British

being
specimens the length and breadth does not exceed four-

tenths of an inch.

The occasional occurrence of this erratic species on oursouthern coast enables
distinct placeinme for the first time to give it aour British Fauna.

There areinthe

British collection of Crustacea, in the British Museum, threeplaced there by Dr. Leach, obtained, as I
fromthe coast of Devonshire ; and Mr. Couch, in
believe,
specimens,

his Cornish Fauna, has thefollowing notice of another":A species of the genus Grapsus is in the Athenseum at

Plymouth, under the name of G. pelagiciis, by Mr.
It is understood that
Prideaux, and known to Dr. Leach.

Museum of that Institution is con-the collection in thefined to specimens taken
1

Cornwall."I

on the borders of Devon andhave also received from

whose diligence andtact

in observing

this

facts

gentleman,in

Naturalequalled by his kindness and liberality in imhis
information, a very young specimen from theparting

Historyis

Cornish coast, whichthan a

line

in

is

breadth.

extremely small, being not more
It was sent to me with someother specimens of various very small Crustacea,
apparently
taken from sea-weed it is quite perfect,
although so small,and is of a very pale grey colour, with small dark dots.
;

Such is the amount of our knowledge of this species as an
inhabitant of our coasts.

The

several species are found in greatsargasso or gulf-weed, amongst whichdie.

numbers on thethey breed, live, andOne species is particularly mentioned by Sloane in his

Natural History of Jamaica, as being found on the

Sargasso

138

and other submarine plants growing on the north side of"that island ; and adds that,
Columbus, finding it alive on
the sargasso floating in the sea, concluded himself not far

from some land, in thefirstvoyage he made, on the disThey are, however, foundcovery of the West Indies."

wherever thegulf- weed floats ;

and

it

is

doubtless fromsome accidental drifting of this plant towards our own coast,that

we owethe addition of one species to the British

Fauna.

As has been

already observed, there are, doubtless, atleast three distinct species of the genus.
As the British

specimens have been named by Dr. Leach, and are certainly distinct from that ordinarily found, I have thoughtitright to retain his

name

;

and

shall

be glad to find thatthe investigation of the genus by some competent person

has led to the adoption of sound specific characters bywhich the different species may be distinguished.

DECA PODA.

LEUCOSIADAL.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS EBALIA, LKACH.
CANCER,

Pennant, Montagu.

LEUCOSIA,

Leach.

EBALIA,

Leach, Edwards, &c.

Generic Character.

External antenna extremely
V minute,serted in the inner canthus of the orbit.
in oblique fossse,

in-Internal antennce lying

which are entirely separated by a small process
External pedipalpsof the epist.ome, and concealed by the front.

elongato-triangular, reaching forwards to the margin of the epi-

stome ; the internal footstalk gradually acuminated, the third joint
Anterior legs large, equal, the hand in-internally palpigerous.

flated, those of the male larger than those of the female ;legs shorter

than thefirst pair,the otherdiminishing gradually in length,

Abdomenterminating in a slightly curved, rather strong claw.
seven-jointed, but with several of the middle joints confluent ;that of the male narrow, gradually diminishing from the thirdof the female very broad, the last joint very small, abruptly
narrower than the preceding.
Carapace rhomboidal, with the
more
or
less
or
truncatedrounded ; front produced, eleangles

joint :

vated.

Eyes very small.

two small

Orbits withfissureson thesuperior margin.

OF this genus, which forms the

English representativeof the family Leucosiadtc, there are three distinct species

found on our coasts.

These areseveralandvery tangible

sufficiently

essential

distinct

in

and

I

characters ;am surprised to find that Dr. Milne Edwards should consider

them merely as varieties.

The

distinctions will heGENUS EBALIA.

140

in the descriptions of the several
particularly pointed out

species.

At present I am not aware that either of themhas been found in any other locality than on our own
coasts ; but Dr. Edwards describes a species existing in

French Museum, and I have specimens from Mr.
Cuming's collection from the western coast of America,

thewhich must be referredto this genus, but belonging to a

new and very remarkable species.

The genus was formed

by Dr. Leach, who, with great propriety, separated itfrom his genus Leucosia, to which he had at first referred
the species then known.

The family of which this genus forms a part is perfectly
natural and well defined, and contains
esting forms, all ofthemmany very inter-so characteristic

at once their close relation to each other.

as to exhibit

141

PENNANT S EBALIA.

DECA PODA.

LEUCOSIADjE.

BRACHYURA.

PENNANT'S EBALIA.

LEACH.

Ebalia Pennantii.
Carapace granulated, with an obtuse elevated transverse andSpecific character.

longitudinal ridge, forming a cross ; latero-anterior margin divided into two lobes
by a fissure ; abdomen with the third to the sixth joints united.

Cancer tulerosus,

PENNANT, Brit. Zool. IV. t. ix. a, f, 19.

Ebalia Pennantii,

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. xxv. f. I

6. Zool. Miscell.

III. p. 19.

THE carapace in Ebalia Pennantii is rhomboid, rather
broader than

is

it

long,

the angles rounded, the latero-anterior margin slightly sinuous,and divided by a small

fissure ; the posterior margin is rounded ; the front elevatedand emarginate;

the orbits very small, and with two small

above the carapace has an elevated cross, formedroundedalongitudinal ridge crossed by a transverseby
one ; the whole posterior portion is elevated, and thefissures;anterior part slopes suddenly from the obliquely transverse

142

LEUCOSlADJi.

ridge on eachside ; the surface

iseverywhere distinctly

granulated.

The first pair of legs are the longest and areequal ; thearm is trihedrons, the wrist short and slightly

inflated, thehand rounded, inflated, externally carinated,the fingers furnished with two very minute ridges on the

The remaining pairsof feet are slender, the joints rounded, the terminal one
outer surface ; the whole granulated.

slightly curved.

The whole of the parts about the mouth,

particularly the foot-jaws, distinctly granulated, the granu-

The abdomen

lation appearing almost like minute pearls.
in themaleistriangular andmore than twice as long as

broad ; the third to the sixth joints united,female it is much rounded, nearly as broad as ititin theisthe terminal articulation abruptly

is

long,

much smaller than thepreceding, to which it is, as it were, a mere appendage.

Colour reddish brown, paler beneath, the abdomen
either sex often symmetrically spotted with red.

specimen obtained by Mr. McAndrew, and to whom
indebted for

it,

which

is

all

in

I haveIaamover of a lovely bright rose

colour.

This species, whichisthe largest of the genus, is aboutfive-eighths of an inch long, by two-thirds broad.

These

are the dimensions of the carapace of a female specimeninmy cabinet from the coast of Devon;and Dr. Leachspeaks of female specimens half as large again as his figure,which would correspond with mine, or perhaps rather ex-

was first described by Pennant, from specimens in the Portland Cabinet, which were probably obceed

it.

It

tained at Weymouth, a locality in which another species,

E. Bryerii, was also

first

discovered.

It

was afterwards

found on the coast of Devonshire, from whence
obtained

it,

I

have

through the kindness of my friend Walter

Buchanan, Esq., who procured it at Exmouth.

It is men-

143

PENNANT'S EBALIA.
in the following terms

tioiiedby Mr. Embleton,

in

his

Catalogue of the Podophthalmous Crustacea of Berwick"A
shire and North Durham.
single specimen, taken at

Redhaugh, Berwickshire, in the collection of Dr- Johnstone, and another in my own, taken in Embleton Bay,are the only ones which have fallen under my notice.

Inboth, which are females, the abdominal covering is marked

with two rows of bright scarlet spots, a character not
Its occurrence as an Irish species
noticed by Dr. Leach."is thusdetailed"

by Mr. W. Thompson.*

Although thisspecies must be considered rare, it is less so than E. Brycrii
and E. Cranckii.

A specimen (from Cork?) is in Mr. J.

V. Thompson's

In September, 1836, one wascollection.
in
from
water
Belfast Bay, by Mr. Hynddredged up
deepman, and subsequently another was similarly obtained
there by Dr. Drummond.
Several were procured in thesame locality by thecollectors attachedto the Ordnance

Survey, who likewise dredged a specimen in Larne Loch.
To Mr. G. J. Allman I am indebted for one which he

found

in

Dublin Bay.

Three examples of the E. Pen-nantii were brought up alive in the dredge from a depthof fifty fathoms,

off theMull of Galloway, by Captain

Beechey, R.N."fIts occurrence

on the eastern coast of Scotland

well attested, and I have before

is

also

me an immature female
who notices its

specimen,| obtained by Mr. H. Goodsir,

being generally found on stony bottoms, and on fishing-*'Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist.' vol. x. p. 28G.
t Ibid. vol. x. p. 21.
J The specimen here alluded to was considered by Mr. Goodsir as belonging
to a distinct species
but from a careful examination of several specimens, I am;

satisfied that it is the present species at

an immature age.

domendiffers, andisthe only character in whichnarrowed form which always belongs
Brachyura.

it

The form of the ab-this has the comparatively

to this part in theyoung female in all theLEUCOSIAD^-:.

Professor Forbes informs me that he has repeated-banks.

ly procured it.

The above account of the localities in which this species
has been found, warrants us in believing that it
rare as has been imagined ;

rence

is

not soto be attributed to its deep-water habits, rather

than to its actual scarcity.

As far as I have had oppor-

tunities of judging, females are much moremales.

isand that its unfrequent occur-

numerous than

145

EBALIA UUYEIUI.

DECAPODA.

LEUCOSIAD/E.

BRACHYURA.

DRYER'S EBALIA.
Eballa Bryerli.

LEACH.

Carapace slightly and minutely granulated lateral margin
somewhat re volute at the angles two tubercles on the cardiac region,

Specific clmracter.

entire,;;and one on each of the branchial in the male
female.

;these parts

very tumid in the

Abdomen in the male with the third to the fifth joints united

female, the fourth to the sixth.

;

in theArm not more than twice as long as it is broad.
MONT. Trans. Linn. Soc. IX. p. 86. t. ii. fig.

r, ,iccr
tumefactus,
t3.

(fcem. auct.)Ebalia Brycrii,

LEACH, Mai. Podoph. Brit. t. xxv. figs. 12, 13.

THE

carapace in the male is somewhat flattened, depressed in the centre, and transversely hollowed immediately behind the front, whichslightly emarginate.

isconsiderably raised, andThe branchial regions and the car-diac region are raised, the elevations in the malebeingdistinct, in the female sotumid as to form a general eleva-

tion of the whole of theposterior two-thirds of the cara-pace, abruptly sloping to the margin, whichat the sides.

is turned up
The orbits are very small, and the fissures inmargin indistinct. The surface is minutely
and almost obsoletely granulated. The arm in the maletheir superior

than twice as long as it is broad, with aprojection
on the inner side, and furnished on each edge with a few
is less

146

LEUCOSIAD^E.

minute butthetubercles ;distincthand

issomewhat

The retumid, robust, and the fingers slightly grooved.
maining feet slender, and little different from those of the
The foot-jaws and other parts about theformer species.

mouth, as well as the wholesurface,

The abdomen

triangular,

long as

is

it

in

the maleisare nearly smooth.

about twice as

broad, obsoletely carinated, the third, fourth,and fifth joints united, the terminal one with a small promiIn the female the general

nent point directed backwards.

form of the abdomen much resembles that in E. Pennantii,
but the fourth,and sixth joints are united

fifth,

it;isdistinctly carinated.

Colour reddish white, the anterior margin and a few dotson the carapace red, with indistinct reddish bands acrossthe abdomen in the female.

Length half an inch;

breadth very little exceeding thelength.

This species, which appears to be more rare than theformer one, although perhaps less so than E. Cranchii, wasfirstdescribed and figured by Montagu, who at once ap-

preciated the distinction between

itand Pennant's Cancer

tuberosus,

and gives thosedistinctions with great discrimi-

nation.

The carapace

more nearly rectangular

is

;

the

whole surface nearly smooth, instead of being, as in the
covered with distinct pearly granulations;former case,the three distinct tuberosities of the carapace, so different

from the cruciform elevation

inE. Pennantii, the raised

margin, together with the different form and compositionof the abdomen, and the more swollen and uneven character of the hands,

form altogether an accumulation of

distinctive

so obvious thatcharacters

itisimpossible toaccount for the two species being for a moment consideredasmere varieties, as they are by Dr. Milne Edwards.

BRYER S EUALIA.

The

occurrence of this species on record

firstmentionedby Montagu, who

Weymouth, where

whom

it

is

that

specimens fromwas discovered by Mr. Bryer, toreceive'dDr. Leach afterwards dedicatedit.

This distin-

guished zoologist subsequently procured it through Mr.
Prideaux from the Sound of Plymouth ; it is mentioned

by Mr. Couch in his Cornish Fauna as the only species he
had himself taken. I have received both sexes from Exand I
mouth, through the kindness of Mr. Buchanan
have a fine male specimen from Torquay, and a female;

from Tenby;

for

Bowerbank, byItboth of whichI

am indebted to Mr.

whom they were procured by dredging.

occurs also in

Mr. Bean'scollection at

Scarborough.

Mr. W. Thompson mentions its rare occurrence as an Irish
species, the only locality in

which

it

has been found there

Captain Beechey dredged it with theformer off the Mull of Galloway, in fifty fathom water.

being Belfast Bay.

Nothing is known of the habits of this species, nor indeed of either of the others of the genus.
Its occurrence,
as

far

as

we have any data, has always been

in

deep

water.

L 2

148

LEUC'OSlADyK.

LEUCOSIAD/E.

DECA PODA.
BRACHl'URA

CRANCFFS EBALIA.
Eballa CrancMi.

*/,, cific(.'//'/

mrli't:Leach.

Carapace distinctly granulated, carinated;with five tuber

two near together on the cardiac region, two distant on the branchial regions,and one on the intestinal region latero-anterior margin nearly entire; arm linear,
cles,

;

three times as long as it is broad.

LEACH, Zool. Misc. III. p.

CrancMi,

f.

711.

20.

Malac. Brit.

t.

xxv.

EDW. Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p. 129.

THE carapace in this species is more regularly rhombic
than

in

either Eb. Pennantii or Bryerii.

The surface isis an obtuse longitudinal carina
distinctly granulated; there
extending the whole length, and there are five distinct

tubercles, of which

two arc very near each other on the

cardiac region, one on each branchial, and alarger thantheothers,on theintestinal.

single one,The

latero-anterior margin is almost entire, having only a slight sinu-

emarginate, asalso theation ;

the front

angle.

The anterior pair of legs are equal, robust, and inisisposterior

149

CRANCH'S EBALIA.

the male nearly twice as long as the carapace ; the arm

issomewhat trihedrons, and three times

isaslong asitbroad ; the wrist ovate, the hand slightly tumid, the fingers
shorter than the hand ; the remaining pairs of legs slender,

the second and third pairs in the male one-third longer

than the carapace.

In the female the carapace is, in pro-portion, a little longer than in the male, and the legs con-

The abdomen in the male has the third,

siderably shorter.

fourth, and fifth joints, and the female the fourth, fifth, andsixth, united ;in theformer the penultimate joint is emar-

ginate in the anterior margin to receive an angular projection in the posterior margin of the terminal joint.

Length of the carapace half an inch.

Colour yellowish

red, the female paler.

The male of this species so nearly resembles that of E.
Bryerii, that without very careful examination they may

The principal
very readily be mistaken for each other.
distinctive characters are to be found in the form and proportions of the arm, and the size of the granulations on

the surface.
as

it

is

The arm in E. CrancMi is three times as longbroad, and without any dilatation or protuberance

on the inner side

;

in E.

Bryerii the arm

isscarcely twice

as long as it is broad, and is furnished with a distinct pro-jection on the inner side.

In E. Cranchii the granulations

which cover the surface of the body and limbs are distinct

and somewhat prominent in E. Brycrii they are very
The female in the present species
small, and depressed.
;very nearly resembles the male;in

E. Bryerii the sexes

are very dissimilar.

This

is

the most rare of the British species of Ebalia.

was discovered by the indefatigable and unfortunate
Cranch, in Plymouth Sound, where it was afterwards obIt

served, according to Dr. Leach, in considerable

numbers

;

150
it

fORYSTlDyE.

occurs in Mr. Bean's collection at Scarborough.

Frith of Forthitis

In thementioned by Mr. Goodsir as being

Mr. Thompson records its occurrence as an
Mr. Ballspecies in Roundstone Bay, Connemara

very rare.
Irish

;

found several on the beach at Portmarnoch after a storm ;and Captain Portlock obtained it " by deep dredging
Belfast Bay, in the course of the Ordnance Survey.' *in

11

The vignette is an illustration of the sign Cancer, froma thirteenth century drawing, contained in the
Prayerbook of Queen Mary in the British Museum.
6

Thompson, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. x. p. 285.

CORYST1D.E.

DECAPODA.
BRACHYURA.

GENUS ATELECYCLUS.
CANCER.

LEACH.

Herbst.

CANCER (HIPPA).

Montagu.

ATELECYCLUS.

Leach, Edwards.

Generic Character.

External antennas, with the basal articu-

lation very large, united to the floor of the orbit at the outer side,and to thefront above, thus separating the orbit from the anten-

nary fossa the moveable portion inserted beneath the front, between the orbit and the antennary fossa. Internal antennas lying
longitudinally in the antennary fossae, which are, as it were, exca:vated inthe front.

External pedipalps completely closing the

buccal opening, and advancing forwards to the base of the external antennae ;the third joint

muchlonger thanter-broad,

minating in an oblique line, and giving attachment to the terminal
portion in a notch near the middle of its internal margin.

Cara-

pace more or less approaching a circular form, evenly convex thethe front
latero-anterior and lateral margins numerously toothed;;moderately projecting, quinquedentate, the exterior tooth forming
the boundary of the orbit ; the hepatic regions small, the branchial very large.

Orbits, directed forwards, with a single fissure

beneath, and two above, which form a distinct tooth towards theouter angle.
Anterior legs very large and strong, short, compressed, the hand carinated and ciliated above ; the fingers curved ;theremaining pairsof moderate

length,compressed, theminal joint long, acute, and nearly straight.

Abdomenter-in themale, five-jointed, in the female, seven-jointed.

This genus was established by Leach for a species foundby Montagu, and described by him in the eleventh volumeof the Limisean Transactions, under the name of Cancer

152

fiENUS ATELECYCLUS.

(ffippa)
species

septemdentatus.

There are now

severalother

known, one of which A. crucntatus, is found on theand probably in the Mediterranean. It

coast of France,

appears very nearly to resemble our species, and may posThe group is a very natural one,
sibly be a variety of it.

and its characters well defined, but its geographical distributionisso extensive as to set all ordinary laws at defi-

ance ;I

have a well-marked species, hitherto undescribed,

which was procured on the western coast of South America

by Mr, Cuming.

153

CIRCULAR CRAR.

DECAPOD A.

CORYSTID^E.

BRACHYURA.

CIRCULAR CRAB.
Leach.

Atelecyclus heterodon.
Specific Character.

Carapace nearly circular, the lateral margins with nineteeth, alternately larger and smaller; hairs of the legs very long.

Cancer (hippo) septemdentatus,

MONTAGU, Trans. Lin. Soc. XI. t. 1. f.

Atclccydm

LEACH, Edin. Encycl. VII. p. 430.
Soc.

heterodoni.

Trans. Lin.

XT. p. 313.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. ii.

THE general form of the carapace of this species is so
nearly circular, as to distinguish it at first sight from all the

The lateral margins
with the front form somewhat more than a semicircle, andother brachyurous Crabs of our coast.

the latero-posterior margins form three sides of anearlyregular octagon.
hair.

The whole circumference is fringed withThe lateral margin on each

side

is

furnished withnine teeth, which are alternately a little smaller andthe frontislarger;tridentate, the middle tooth being rather the154

CORYSTID.E.

longest ; the whole of the teeth are slightly denticulate.
is granular, moderately elevated, and theThecarapace

The orbits are open forwards,

regions not very distinct.

and have two fissuresin theupper and one in the lowerof a small
margin, the two former being the boundaries
The anterior pair of legs are large andprojecting tooth.
strong, compressed, and, when at rest, closing accurately

against the under part of the body.

The outer and uppersurface of the wrist is furnished with short lines and wartsof minute raised points, and there is a spine on the innerand anterior angle.

The hand, which, with the fingers, isincurved, has five longitudinal lines of small raised points,
besides similar ones on the superior and inferior margins.

The fingers are compressed, curved,

slightly toothed,

andmeet only at the points. The remaining legs are slightly
compressed, of moderate length, and the whole are fringed

The abdomen in the male is five-jointed,

with long hair.

terminal
nearly linear, slightly hollowed on the sides, thein the female it is seven-jointed, very
joint triangular:

slender, being three times as long as it

isbroad, the ter-minal joint elongate and somewhat cordate.

The colour is reddish white, with red spots
feet red, the fingers black ;;the anterior

the hair light broAvn.

The carapace of a full-sized male is about an inch and aquarter in diameter ; the female considerably smaller.

The credit of the discovery of this species is due to Monta<ni,

who found it on the coast of Devonshire, where it

has since been found, as Leach observes, in great plenty in

Mr. Couch, in his Cornish Fauna, observes
deep water.
"in the stomachs of fishes, chiefly codcommon
that it isfishfrom the depth of twenty to fifty fathoms.
must abound at these depths, as I have found more

and

They

rays,

than thirty in a single

fish,

and almost every ray opened

155

CIRCULAR CRAP.
for several days in succession,I

have obtainedit

was found to contain them.'from the Welch coast

;

and

I

1 ''

find avery young specimen amongst some rare Crustacea kindly
forwarded to me from Scarborough by Mr. Bean. It has

been found on the coast of Scotland, in the Frith of Forth,both by Mr. Stephenson of Edinburgh, as stated by Leach,and by my friend Mr. Harry Goodsir, who, however, states
have lately received a specimen which
was taken from the stomach of a cod, off the coast ofthat

Zetland,Forbes.
all

I

rare.

it is

by my friends Mr. M'Andrew and Professor
The accuracy and detail which characterize

the observations ofBelfast, induce

my friend Mr. W. Thompson ofme to quote at length his account of thisspecies as belonging to the Fauna

of Ireland.

" Mr. Tem-found by him in thepleton notices a Crab of this species as
In Mr. J. V.
stomach of a codfish, Jan. 17, 1817.

Thompson's collection is an Irish specimen, probably fromIn January 1839 I obtained a perfect adult maleCork.
from the stomach of a brill, (Pleuronectes rhombus,) taken
at Ardglass, County

Down

;

it

somewhat exceeds in size

by Leach, which again is larger than Montagu
The circumstance of the species
represents the species.
the cod and brill would inbeinffo found in the stomachs ofthat figured

In thean inhabitant of deep water.
Ordnance collection are examples of this Crab from Mo-

dicate

ville

its

being

(Co. Donegal), Portrush, near the Giant's Causeway,

and Carrickfergus.

Mr. R. Ball has twice obtained it on

the Dublin coast ; on one occasion

many specimens were

found by him on the beech at Portmarnoch after a great
In confirmation of Montagu's and Leach's obserstorm.
11vations of the great prevalence of male specimens

those

observed by the former having been all of that sex, andthe latter stating that two females only were found amongst

156

rORYSTTD/R.

several hundreds of males,

Mr. Thompson informs us thatthe several Irish examples which he examined with refer-ence to their sex were all males.

The testimony which I have given from these different
authors prove that the south-western coast, that of Cornwall and south Devon,

isthe locality in which this species

most abundant, although it occasionally occurs far to
the North.
That it is generally an inhabitant of deepiswater, is also evident ; yet an observation of Mr. Thompson's

would seemand that the

to

young

show that the spawn
continue" In the month oftoreside,isdeposited,inshallower

September 1835," he observes,

depths.
a I
obtained several small living specimens of Atelecyclus

two(carapace about

lines

in

length) in rock-pools,

cessible at low water."
Beyond theseknow nothing' of its peculiar habits.

.

,

observations,

ac-

we

DECA POD A

COR YSTIDJE.

.

BRACHYURA.

GENUS CORYSTES.
CANCER.

Penn., Ilerbst.

ALBUNEA.

Fabr., Bosc.

CORYSTES.

Latreille, Leach, Edwards.

External antennce very mucli developed,,

Generic Character.
longerthan

LEACH.

thecarapace,

setaceous,theciliated ;basal joint

immediately beneath the eye inthick, nearly cylindrical, inserted

a hiatus of the orbits ; the second joint also nearly

cylindrical,,bending downwards and inwards, approaching its fellow, so thatthe third joint

isarticulated at right angles withforwards in contact with that of the other sideand twice as long as

it

is

broad

former, are nearly cylindrical,;

and stands

the remaining joints, like theand fringed withantenna; folded longitudinally.

it,this is cylindrical,

hair.

Internal

External pedipalps long, narrow,standing forwards as far as the originof the internal antennae,leaving an aperture between themselves and the epistome directed

forwards;

the third joint longer than the second, and terminating

forwards in a narrow and pointed process, extending beyond theorigin of the fourth joint,

innermargin.

Anterior

which
legs,

is

articulated in a notch in theequal,

subcompressed,

with

the

fingers deflexed ; in the male twice as long, and in the female aslong as the body, the remaining legs of moderate size, compressed,ciliated ;the terminal articulation very long, straight and acute.

Abdomen in the male five-jointed, in the female seven-jointed ; thefirstand second joints

visible from above,plane as the carapace.

and on nearly the same

Carapace much longer than

it isbroad,

with the latero-anterior margins toothed; the rostrum
triangular ; orbits transverse, with two fissures above.
Eyes little

elliptical,

thicker than their peduncles, couching outwards and a little

wards in the orbits.

down-

158

GENUS COEYSTES.

The present genus forms a very obvious approach to thedivision of the Anomoura of Edwards.

thetypical BracliyuraareIts deviations fromnumerous andstriking,

andconsist in the general form of the body, the relations of the

buccal opening, the external pedipalps, the epistome, andthe arrangement of the first joints of the abdomen, and theposterior pair of legs.

There is, at present, but one speciesof the genus known ; but it has a very nearly allied representative in the

new world, the Pseudocorystes armatus of

Edwards, discovered by M. Guy on the coast of Valparaiso,

and found by Mr. Cuming and by Mr. Darwin
same locality.

in

the

159

.MASKED CRAB.

DEC A POD A.

CORYSTID^E.

BRACHYURA.

MASKED CRAB.
Corystes Cassivelaunus.
Cancer cassivelaunus.
11

11

pcrsonatus

Albunca dcntata,Corysles dentatus,

PENNANT, Brit. Zool. iv. t. vii. p. 6.
HERBST, I. t. xii. f. 72.
t. xii. f.

71.

FABR. Suppl. 398.
LATR. Hist. Nat. des

Mas.

Fern.

Crust, ot Insect. VI. p. 122.

EDW. Hist, des Crust. II. p. 148.

COUCH, Corn.

Faun. p. 74.
Cassivelaunus,

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 395.

Mai. Brit. t. i.

THE carapace in this species is longer than it is broad, inthe proportion of nearly three to twoconvex, with the;regions

somewhat distinctly marked, having a groove

sur-

1 GO

CORYSTID*.

rounding the cardiac and genital regions, and another shorttransverse depression over the intestinal region, forming
altogether, inmany specimens, a remarkable similitude tohuman face from which circumstancethe features of the;11

have given it the English name of " the Masked Crab.
There are three acute teeth on each side of the carapace,Tthe first forming the external angle of the orbit ; the second

whichplaced on the margin of the hepatic, and the third,
theisvery small, on the margin of the branchial region:

surface is covered with minute scattered tufts of very shorthair,scarcely

distinguishable

setaceous

and

The

naked eye.

The orbits are minutely granu-

rostrum is deeply notched.
lated on the margin.

the

\>y

The external antennse are very long,

doubly ciliatedtheirthroughout

whole

The anterior feet in thelength, as are also the pedipalps.

male are twice as long as the body; the arm nearly cylindrical,

and nearly the same length as the arm the wrist about
half as long and furnished with two spines on the inner;side ; thehand gradually enlarging forwards;

the fingers

In the female these
considerably inflected, and ciliated.
feet are not longer than the body ; the hand scarcely

somewhat gibbous. The remaining pairs of legs are compressed, and doubly ciliated.
longer than the wrist, andThe abdomen in the male is five-jointed;

the third becom-ing abruptly narrower than the second ; and the terminal

one obtuse and rounded.

In the female the first two joints

are very broad ; the third abruptly narrower, and, with thein both sexes this part
remaining joints, forming an oval
is marginated with rather long hair.
:

The colour is pale red, passing into yellowish whitearms rather deeper

red.

;

the

In the female the colours aremuch less bright and clear than in the male.
Tin- sexes of tin's species differ so much from each other,

MASKED CRAB.
particularly in the form161

and development of the anterioranlegs, that Herbst describes them as distinct species,

error in which he was

at

first

followedby Latreille, who,
It was first

however, afterwards corrected the mistake.

by Pennant, who gavethename of Cancer

Cassivelaunus, for no very obvious reason.
betweenhabitat " theHe gives as its

discovered

Anglesea."

it

deep
Holyhead and Red-wharf,
From the Welch coast I have also received itfrom Mr. Eyton
from Torquay through the kindness of
Mrs. Griffiths
and it occurs in Mr. Bean's collection;;

at Scarborough.

It is generally rather a deep-sea species ;and is occasionally thrown on shore " after storms or galesof wind that have been tending towards shore."

In May,a single

specimen with thedredge, and on the following day ten

more in the shrimp,

1843,

at

took

I

Saudgate,

trawl ; these were all females.
at Hastings,

where thelateIhave likewise obtained it

Mr. Hailstone also mentions

Mr. Couch, in hiscaught by the trawlers.
"
Cornish Fauna, mentions it asscarcely common, whichhaving seenit

may be accounted for from its habit of burrowing in thesand, leaving the extremities of its antennae alone projecting

above the surface.

These organs," adds Mr. Couch, " areof some use beyond their common office of feelers ; perhaps,some other crustaceans, they assist in the process of
excavation ; and, when soiled by labour, I have seen the
as incrab effect their cleaning by alternately bending the jointsof their stalks, which stand conveniently angular for thispurpose.

Each of the long antennae is thus drawn along thebrush that fringes the internal face of the other, until bothare cleared of every particle that adhered to them."

rare.

As a

by Mr. H. D. Goodsir to be
In Ireland it has been repeatedly taken.
Mr. Wm.

Scottish species, it

isstatedThompson mentions having dredged u number of very small
M

COBYSTIDjE.

162bottom in the open sea ; and hespecimens from a sandy
states that the antennse in these young individuals are muchto the carapace than in the adult,
longer in proportion
some, with the carapace only three lines in length, having

the antennae six lines long.

The habit quoted above from

Mr. Couch, of this species lying buried in the sand, withthe antennse only protruded, was also observed by Dr.
Drurnmond, and by Mr. Ball of Dublin.
is
According to Mr. Hailstone's observations, the spawn
shed in April and May.

I did not find any spawn attached

any of the eleven females which I took at Sandgate
the latter month.

to

--'

f*!!7

'

iv>,

"JF-eY'inDECAPODA.

UOMOLAD.V.

AN03IOURA.

GENUS LITHODES.
CANCER,
INACHUS.

Linn. Herbst.

MAIA.

Bosc.

LITHODES,

Latr. Leach, Edwards.

Generic character.

LATH.

Fabr.

External antennce. placed nearly in a linewith the internal, on the outer side, and a little beneath them ; thebasal joint being, asitwere, imbedded between the anterior mar-or elongation of the lateral margin of the carapace and a process

gin of the buccal opening, whichisenclosed only at thesides,

where the margins are nearly straight ; the second joint is furnished with a spine on the outer side, and the third is long andcylindrical.

Internal antennce long, inserted beneath and some-what external to the eyes ; the first joint nearly cylindrical, thick,and bent downwards and inwards; the second and third
drical, slender,

short,

cylin-

elongated ; the terminal portion consisting of two

setaceous,

multiarticulate

filaments.

External pedipalps

dilated andpediform, with the second joint short, broad, internallyThorax with the posterior portion free and movable.

toothed.

Anterior feet unequal, of moderate

spoon-shaped
fifth

;

size,

the fingers more or lessthe three following pairs very long, cylindricalfoldedpair very small, adactylous,latero-posterior margin of the carapace.

;thebackwards beneath the

Carapace cordiform, withthe regions very distinct, spinous.

Rostrum projecting horizontally.

Eyes not enclosed within

but protected externally by astrong spine ;orbits,the peduncles short, approximate.

Abdomen large,

five-jointed.

This very remarkable genus was formerly placed amongst
the Oxyrliyncld on account of the form of the carapace,
M 2

GENUS LITHODES.

104

which greatly resembles many of that group. Its relation
to these, however, is only one of analogy ; and Leach was
the first to point out the discrepancies.

he caught of its truetion that,"inembodied in the observa-

affinities isthe form of

The glimpse whichitspedipalps

and externalantennae, and in the position of the eyes, it approaches the

Macrourous Malacostraca."

It

is,

however, to Dr. Milne

Edwards that we owe the full development of its relations,
and

its

natural location in a group intermediate between

the Brachyurous and the Macrourous forms, and in close
association with Homola.

necessary to modify the generic charac-

I have found it

ters

previously given of this genus, founded as they were

upon thesinglespecies hitherto described.

The

posses-by Mr. Curning on the eastern
coast of America, enables me to state that the membranoussion of a second, discovered

condition of themost aabdomeniseither merely

a sexual, or

specimen obtained
have given the name of L.
Australia, is entirely covered with crustaceous matter.

atspecific

by Mr. Cumiiig,

distinction,

to whichI

as theNORTHERN STONE-CRAR.

165

DECA POD A.

HOMOLAD.V.

ANOMOURA.

--NORTHERN STONE-CRAB.
Lithodes Mala,

Leach.

RoBtrurn furnished with eight spines ; one above, one beSpecific character.
neath, and one on each side at the base, two about the middle, and terminatingin two, which are somewhat divergent.
Carapace distinctly margined, with nu-

merous spines longer than those on the disk.
crustaceons patches

representing the joints ;Abdomen membranaceous, with
the

first

and

last

joint entirely

crustaceous.

f'ancer Maia,

horridus,fnachus Maia,
Lithodes arctiea,

LINN. Syst. Nat. I. 1046, 41. HERBST. I. t. xv. f. 87, p. 21.9.

PENN. Brit. IV. t. vii. f. 14, p. 7.
FABR. Suppl. p. 358.
LATR. Gen. Crust. &c. I. p. 40.
Enw. Hist, dos (.'rust.
p.

Maia,

LEACH, Trans. Lin. Soc. xi. p. 332.

Malac. Brit. t. xxiv.

THE form of the carapace is cordate, longer than it
broad,

II.

186.

exclusive of the rostrum ;the marginissomewhat

IIOMOLAD^E.

lb'6

recurved all round, and beset with numerous very long andstrong spines, of which those on the latero-anterior margin
are regular, longer than the others, and six ineachnumber on

immediately at the outer side of
The surface is also covered with tubercles andside, including thatthe orbit.

the regions distinct and elevated, excepting the
Rostrum onehepatic, which are very slightly developed.
spines ;third as long as the rest of the carapace, projecting for-wards, furnished with four spines at the base, of which
one is placed above and another (the longest) beneath,and one on eachtwo other lateral spines near the
There
middle, and two terminal ones which are divergent.
areside ;

no distinct orbits;

the eyes are contiguous

at

the

insertion of their peduncles, and stand forwards

and out-

rostrumand thewards, being

protected

above

by themargin of the carapace, between them by thelong inferior spine of the rostrum, and at the outside byanterior

The anterior pair of legs are unequal, ina strong spine.

some cases theright, in others theleftbeing the larger ;they are covered with strong sharp spines, those on the
inner margin the largest ; the wrist nearly cylindrical ; thehand robust, nearly as broad as it is long; thefingers somewhat spoon-shaped, and furnished with smalllargertufts of hair

The second

above, the opposing margins

totuberculated.

pair of feet long,the fourthcylindrical,

furnished with strong spines ; the terminal joint compressed,
slightly curved

and acutewithout spines.

;

the fifth pair diminutive and

The abdomen is coriaceous, with regular

patches of crustaceous matter, representing the segments ;
the

first

is

entirely crustaceous, very short,and extending

quite across the breadth of the abdomen, linear and spinous ;the second, fourth, and sixth joints are represented each byapair of broad

oval

patches towards themargin ; the167

NORTHERN STONE-CRAB.

by much smaller marginal pieces between
the second and fourth, and the fourth and sixth respectiveand

third

ly ;

fifth

the terminal joint

is

oval

also nearlyand entirely

crustaceous.

The

colourisyellowish

red ;

the

the

spines darker,

under surface paler.

.....

Length of carapace
Breadth of carapace

In.

.

Length of larger anterior leg.

Length of leg of the third pair

...
.

.

.

Lines.

.50
40
.55
80

This remarkable species must be considered as one of therarer of our British Crustacea.

It

is,

strictly speaking,anorthern species, not having yet been found farther southwith the exception of a specimen inthan the Isle of Man;

Museum of Trinity College, Dublin, recorded to havethebeen taken on the coast of the County Wexford.
sess, through the kindness ofmyfriend

Mr.

I

pos-

M Andrew,cseveral specimens, of various size, taken by him in dredging

they have also been dredged between theand the Mull of Galloway. The Frith ofLoch Fyne

in

Isle

of Man;Forth (Goodwin), the Coast of Ayrshire (Thompson), of
Aberdeen and of Yorkshire (Leach), are localities where
this crab

has at different times been obtained ; and I havea specimen which was taken from the stomach of a cod on
I am uncertain at what period they
the coast of Orkney.
casttheir spawn.

One

of

Mr.

M Andrew's specimens,ctaken in the month of June, was carrying spawn.

The synonymy of thisspecies has

become 'not a little

involved from some slight resemblance which it bears in its
external characters to the

Mam Squinado, and from a very

obvious mistake into which Pennant has fallen in considering

itidentical with the Cancer horridus of Linnaeus, theParthenope horrida of subsequent naturalists.

It is

un-

168

HOMOLADyE.

necessary to say that to the latter there is not the slightest
affinity, nor even a remote external

resemblance;

whilst to

the former the similarity is confined to the mere figure of
the carapace, and the spiny armature of the body.

DECAPODA
ANOMOURA.

GENUS PAGURUS.

FABR.

CANCER,

Linn. Herbst.

ASTACUS,

Pennant, Degeer.

PAGURUS,

Fabr. Bosc. Lam. Latr. Leach, Edwards.

Generic character.

External

antennae,

inserted in

the

same

the peduncles of the eyes, and furnished with a large
moveable spine, which represents the palpus of this organ ; the lastline withjoint of the peduncle long, slender, and cylindrical ; filament com-posed of many articulations, very long and setaceous.
antenna?, placed immediately above the ocular peduncles
joint nearly globular ; the second

the terminal portion

consisting

Internal;

the first

and third elongate andof

slender,

two setae, the superior com-pressed, hairy ; the inferior shorter, filiform.

External pedipalps

pediform, having five exserted joints ; the palpus much developed,
Anterior feet very unequal, one of thenearly as long as the stalk.

hands being large and tumid ; the second and third pairs long,ambulatory, with long curved nails ; the fourth and fifth pairs
small, rudimentary, sub-didactyle, the latter more distinctly so than

the former.

Cepkalo-thorax membranaceous, shorter than the ab-dominal portion of the body.

andinferior

Carapace covering only the anterior

portion of the thorax.

Abdomengreatly developed,

elongated, membranous, furnished on the upper surface with rudi-

mentary crustaceous

plates.

Tail crustaceous,of threejoints,the second joint with appendices on each side.

The family PAGURID^E, and particularly the present genus,
composed of some of the most curious and anomalous
forms in the whole of the class. Whilst the Birgus, leavingisthe water, and even disdaining to crawl on the ground likethe true land-crab, climbs the height of the cocoa-tree, andGENUS PAGURUS.

170

feasts upon the young fruit, the species of the present genus

clothes its softand defenceless body in the

cast-off cover-

the turbinated shells
ing of the shelled mollusks, occupyingof numerous species of gasteropoda, to which they closely attach themselvesby means of the hooked appendages

From this peculiarity they have been
there havecommonly termed Hermit Crabs. Of this genusof the abdomen.

until lately

been only two correctly distinguished species
but the examination
to this country

known as indigenous;

minute paguri,
by Mr. William Thompson of numerous
found on the coast of Ireoccupying various small shellsof four additionalland, has led to the clear discrimination

one from the coast of Devonshire,
species; which, withmake altogether no less than seven British species.

COMMON HERMIT CRAB.

171

DECA POD A
ANOMOUKA.

COMMON HERMIT CRAB.
SOLDIER CRAB.

Paourus Bernhardus.
/

Hands strongly tuberculo granulated ; terminal joints ofSpecific character.
the second and third pairs of legs spinous on the upper side, slightly tortuous.
Cancer Bcrnhardus,

LINN. Syst. Nat. 1049.

Astacus

PENN. Brit. Zool. (ed. 8vo.) IV. t. xviii. p. 30.
FABR. Suppl. 411. Emv. Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p.

Pagurus

215.

LEACH. Make. Brit. t. xxvi. f. 1

strcblonyx,

The carapace

in

this

species4.

has the anterior margin

hollowed on each side above the insertion of the eye-stalks,

PAGURID.K

172
forming aTheobtuse-angled rostrum.

shorteye-stalks

armed with a broad, flattened, oval or
The third joint of the internal anlanceolate tooth.
are short, thick,tennae scarcely extending

beyond the basal portion of theis armed on its

external ; the second joint of the latter

outer side with a sharp tooth ;itsthan the eye-stalks, slender, andpalp spiniform, longer

curved.

The

anterior

pair of legs very robust, thick, unequal, the right being

ordinarily thewith numerous isolated

furnishedlarger,tubercles, more or less spinous ; the wrist,

which

is

nearlyas long as the hand, is dilated and spinous at the inner

marginthe;fingers

and strongly tuberculated.

obtuseThe second and third pairs of feet spinous on the upperside, the last joint

twisted,and a

Posteriorpairsvery long, strong, compressed, slightly
thickened towards the extremity.

littleoffeetrudimentary,

terminating in an

extremely short, flattened pincer. Abdomen in the female
furnished with four ovigerous false feet, each consisting of abasal joint, whichiselongateandcylindrical,

terminal laminar branches ; the fourthand twomuch the smallest.

In the male there are three false feet, composed of a basal
and a double terminal joint, one finger of which is laminarand large, the other rudimentary.

The terminal joint of

the abdomen is notched.

The general colour is red, passing into yellow

men brown.
I;the abdo-

Usual length of the adult about five inches.

have thought

it

right

to

follow

Dr. Edwards

ingenerally received name, as

itis, in all probability, the one which Linnseus assigned toit,resuming for this speciesits

notwithstanding the doubt which led Dr. Leach to reject
it,

and

to substitute for

it

the

name

of Streblonyo&, inallusion to the peculiar tortuosity of the terminal joints of

the ambulatory legs.

173

COMMON HERMIT CRAB.

extremely common, inhabiting, in thegrowth, almost every species of turbinatedThis species
course ofitsisbut in its adult state requiring

shell existing on onr coasts ;a habitation not smaller than the full-sized whelk, (Bucci-

natum undatum,) in which it is constantly found.

Occu-

growth, the small species

in the early stages of its

pying,of Litorina, of Natica, of Buccinum, of Mure-x, &c.

Whenbecomes too large for its existing dwelling, it leaves it,
and seeks for one not merely large enough for its present
itoccupation, but sufficiently so to admit of a certain degreeHence weof further increase.

shells considerably larger thanoften find individuals

would beinsufficient to pro-tect them.
Itisa question of some interest whether the Hermit

Crab always chooses for its habitation a shell alreadyempty, or whether it actually kills and devours the inhabitant of one that suits its size, and then takes possession ofits

The latter I believe

violated home.

tobe true, inmany if not in most cases certainly, however, not in all,as we often find the Hermit occupying an old and longabandoned shell. But so much more generally is it found;in fresh shells, thatground alone,
violence.

it

that

can scarcely be doubted, even on this
it

often

obtains

its

habitation

by

The fishermen on the coast are fully persuadedof this ; and an intelligent person of this class at Bognor

assured me that the fact has often been observed by himself and others.

He stated that the aggressor seizes its

immediately behind thehead, and thus kills or disables it, then eats it, and finally
victimthe whelk, for instance,

It holds on
creeps into and appropriates its vacant shell.
with great force and tenacity by means of the terminal

and if taken hold of when running about,appendages
which it does Avith great rapidity with its usurped shell;

174

PAGURIDyE.

attached, it

draws itself in with a sudden snap, and thenevery attempt to pull it out, closing the aperture
with its stout strong legs and pincers, and thus also pro-resists

tecting the soft membranous abdomen.

The Hermit Crabs are much employed by the fishermen"(who call themWigs,"or possibly

"

1'

1

Whigs, ) as bait
for which purpose they answer very well forfor cod
immediate use, although the original possessors and build;ers of the house, the whelks, aremuch preferred for night-

more firmly on the hook. They aretaken in great numbers in prawn-pots for this purpose.

lines, as remainingThe

speciesisvery widely distributed, and exists inevery part of our coast in great numbers, being continually taken in the dredge, the keer-drag, and the prawn

and lobster pots.

PRIDEAUX S HERMIT CRAB.

175

PAGURID&.

DECAPOD A.
ANOMOURA.

PRIDEAUX'S HERMIT CRAB.
Pagurus Prideauxii.

Leach.

Hands simply granulated ; internal antennae half as long
Specific Character.
again as the eye- stalks ; terminal joints of the second and third pairs of legs
nearly straight, grooved on each side.
LEACH, Malac, Brit. t. xxvi. f. 5, 6.

Pagurus Prideaux,,,

EDW. Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p. 216.

Prideauxii,

THE present species resembles the foregoing in so many
respects,

that

it

had doubtless been mistaken

observers previous to

however, from

it

its

detection

in several

by Leach

:

for
it

it

well-marked characters.

anterior margin of the carapace has nobydiffers,The

median projection;

PAGURID.E.

17()

the lateral portions of the carapace are more exclusively
membranous ; the hands, instead of being strongly tuber-

and the wrists, on which,P. Bernlmrdus, the tubercles become spinous on theculated, are merely granulated,ininner margin,
tubercles ;

are

in

this

furnished withspeciessmall

and wrist are elevated along thethe handmedian line of the upper

The ambulatory legs

surface.

are nearly smooth, and the terminal joint is grooved longi-

The eye-stalks
twisted.
tudinally on each side, and is notare short and very thick, and the extremity, where theitself iseyeinserted,is

The spiniform palp ofglobular.

the external antennae is more slender and less curved thanin

P. Bernhardus.

size,

It is usuallyof considerably smaller

seldom exceeding two inches and a half from the front

to the extremity of the abdomen.

The colour is light reddish-brown.
The discovery of this species is due to Leach, who received it from his indefatigable friend Prideaux, by whomit

was taken in considerable numbers in Plymouth Sound.

Tt

has since that been found on several other parts ofthe coast.

In Loch Fyne it has been taken by my friends

Professor E. Forbes

and

Mr.

M Andrew
c

;

and

it

has

also been taken in Ireland by Mr. W. Thompson and
Mr. Hyndman, "when dredging in Strangford and Bel-the open sea off Dundrum, county
Down." Mr. Thompson notices the very remarkable cir" in
cumstance of its being foundevery instance in-fast

Loughs, andin

habiting the shell invested
tinia

"

m. Adams)."by the Adamsia maculata (Ac-And Mr. Thompson proceeds to state,

among the very numerous specimens

of Paguri inmyIrish coast, and foundcollection, from all quarters of thenota P. Prideauasii ocshells of various species,

inhabiting

curs except in connexion with the Acfuii" nlreudy named.

v

PRIDEAUX S HERMIT CRAD.

177

In a subsequent note on the same subject, Mr. Thompson

quotes"Dr. Ooldstream, who, in a communication in the

Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal," remarks, in treat-ing- onthe Actinia maculata obtained by him " at Torbay,

and in Rothsay and Kames Bays in Bute," that the shell
which it covered was always oorered by a variety of theHermit Crab."

It is

"
also remarkable thatby Duges

species have been found associated on thetheFrance."
wise,

it is

difficult todecide without further observation ;the facts, however, that Dr. Leachitscoast of

Whether this coincidence be accidental or othermakes no mention of

occurrence, and that Professor Edward Forbes statesthat not a single specimen of the Actinia takenin the courseof a season was so associated, arefavour of their concurrence being fortuitous.

by himmuch in'

1

78

PAGURIDJE.

DECA POD A.

PAGUPIDJE.

ANOAIOURA.

Pagurus cuanensis.

Thompson.

Anterior feet unequal, hisped, spinous ; the palp of theSpecific Clmracler.
external antennae as long as the eye-stalk ; their basal tooth denticulate on the
inner side, half as long as the palp.
J'/n/iims cuanensis,

THOMPSON, Report on the Fauna of Ireland, (Report ofBrit. Assoc. 1843. p. 207.)

THIS

is

discovered

thelargestby Mr.

of fourW.

newspecies of Pagurus,

Thompson and named by him,

though without any description or specific character, in
his interesting report on the Fauna of Ireland, read before
the British Association for the Advancement of Scienceat their session in 1843.

The carapace has theanterior margin slightly waved,

without any rostral projection. The eye-stalks are very long,exceeding the basal portion of the external antennae;

thebasal tooth of these half the length of the palp, straight,
acute, denticulate on the inner side ;the palp at least as

long as the eye-stalk, curved, and furnished with long, stiff,

adpresscd hairs on the inner side.

The anterior legs are un-

equal, the right the larger, covered with long stiff hair, andfurnished with numerous spinous tubercles ; the wrist witha row of strong short spines on the upper margin ; thePAGURUS CUANENSIS.

179

hand rather longer than broad, with its sides parallel andstraight, furnished withface ; theculated.

fingers

short,

rows of spines on
curved,robust,its

upper sur-strongly

tuber-

The ambulatory legs long, compressed, hairy, withthe terminal joint very long, slender, andslightly curved.

Found (principally inhabiting the Triton Erinaceus)atPortaferry and in Bangor Bay by Mr. Thompson, and. in
Belfast Bay by Dr. Drummond.

180

PAdVRIDM.

DECAPODA.
ANOMOURA,

Pagurus ulidianus.
Specific Character.

Thompson.

Carapace with a minute rostrum

length of the basal portion of the external
elongate, the sides parallel, roughly granulate

handanterior feet nearly equal;

inner margin of the wrist toothed.

W. THOMPSON,

Pagurus ulidicB,

internal antennae the

;

;

1.

THE carapace is smooth and shining

;

c.

;

the anterior mar-gin hollowed over the insertion of the eye-stalks, having
The eyea very small rostriform projection in the centre.
stalks thick, reaching nearly to the third basal joint of theexternal antennae, with the basal tooth convex, triangular,

incurved at the point.

The external antennae with the palp

having a double curve,

its

inner margin

three or four very slender long teeth.

furnished with

The internal antennae

about as long as the basal portion of the external.
firstpair of feet somewhat unequal ;granular, its inner margin toothed ; thelel sides,

The

the wrist roughly

hand with paral-

granular, gibbous, slightly carinated on the outeredge ; moveable finger toothed on the outer edge.

The se-cond and third pairs of feet slightly compressed.

A very small species, so nearly resembling the young

181

PAGURUS ULIDIANUS.
of P. Bernhardus thatitisdifficult at

firsttinguish them, especially as the contortionsight to dis-of the termi-

nal joint of the ambulatory legs in the latter is not evident
invery young individuals.

present species
parallel,Itis

The hand, however, in theits sides more nearly

more elongate,

and the granulations on its surface more even.

was found by Mr. Thompson at Portaferry.

182

PAGURID.E.

PAGURID/E.

DECAPODA.
ANOMOUnA.

'

Thompson.

Pagurus Hyndmanni.

Anterior legs unequal the hand oval, minutely granuon the outer margin eye-stalks much shorter than the basal

Specific Character.

lated, denticulate;;

portion of the external antennae;

internal

antennae four times as long as theeye-stalks.

Pagurus Hyndmanni

THE carapace

,

this

in

anterior margin

entire.

extending onlytoantennae ; the

tooth

W. THOMPSON,
species

is

1.

c.

perfectly smooth,its

The eye-stalks short and thick,the third basal joint of the external
at their basesmooth, convex, andabout as long as theacutely pointed. The external antennae
second pair of legs ; the tooth on the outer side of the se-cond joint smooth, simple, shorter than the third joint
palp extending a little beyond the eye-stalks.

;the

The internalantennae compressed, extremely long, being not less thanfour times the length of the eye-stalks.

The anterior legs

are very unequal, the right being the larger, granulated ;the wrist of the larger with a series of small teeth along theinner margin ; the hand oval, slightly convex, with an ob-

PAGURUS HYNDMANN1.
tuse tooth at the base, the outer margin delicately and evenly

denticulate ; the immoveable finger broad, triangular;themoveable one carinated, minutely toothed on the outermargin, somewhat contorted in old individuals. The second
and third pairs of legs slender, the joints hairy on theanterior edge ; the terminal one curved.

Total length of the only specimen which could be completely examined, six-tenths of an inch ; another specimen,

dried in its shell, is considerably larger.

one of the most interesting and elegant speciesof this curious genus
and the perfect condition of one
This

is

;

Mr. Thompson's specimens enables me to give a moreotherssatisfactory description of it than of some of theof

The form of the hand, the arrangediscovered by him.
ment of the parts about the ophthalmic and antennary
regions, the unparalleled proportional length of the inter-

nal

antennae, distinguishitat a glancefrom every otherspecies.
It was found inhabiting Turritella terebra at Portaferryby Mr. Thompson, and in Belfast Bay by Mr. Drummond.
The figure is enlarged to two diameters and a half.

184

1'AGUEID^.

DECAPODAPA G URIDJZ.

.

ANOMOUKA.

SMOOTH HERMIT CRAB.
Pagurus lavis.
Character.

Thompson.

Carapace with the anterior margin raised;eye-stalks shortand thick, reaching to the middle of the third joint of the internal antennae
hand minutely granulated, polished, with two obsolete teeth at the base towards
the inner side, and a minute tubercle at the outer.
;

THOMPSON, 1. c.

Pagurus leevis,

THE carapace of thispretty species

lished, somewhat heart-shaped

andslightly raised.

The

;

is

smooth and po-

the anterior margin waved,

external

antenna; are

of'

mo-

derate length, the basal tooth short, pyriform, acute ; t heas the basal portion
palp doubly curved, nearly as long
The eye-stalks,of the antennae, slightly denticulated.

beyond the middle of thethird joint of the internal antennae, which are slender.

short, thick,extending alittleThe right

anterior foot very

the wrist

rathermuch larger than the left;roughly granulated, denticulated along

the inner margin, which terminate.* in a tooth, contiguous
to

which

is

a smooth obtuse tubercle;

the hand broadlv

PAGURUS
ovate,

convex,slightly

185

L;EVIS.

granulated,

polished,

two

with

small obsolete approximating tubercles near the base ; thetheremaining second and third pairs of feet compressed
the
and
above
terminal
carinatedslightly spinous
joints;;joint long, slender, and slightly curved.

The general colour is yellowish testaceous, and there isa distinct red mark extending the whole length of thehand and bifurcating towards the fingers.

The specimens taken by Mr. Thompson

atPortaferry

were very small, and being contracted by drying andotherwise

injured,affordedbutlittleopportunity for aminute description. Having, however, recently obtained
several large and perfect specimens amongst other Payuri
from Falmouth, through the kindness of Mr. Corks, I am
enabled to give the above description, and to add to thethat of the coast of
locality afforded by Mr. Thompson,
Cornwall.

186
I)

PAGURID^E.

EC A POD A.

PAGVRID.E.

BRACHYURA.

ROUGH-CLAWED HERMIT CRAB.
Pagurus Forlesii.

Mihi.

Specific Character.

the internal

Eye-stalks club-shaped, as long as the basal portion ofantennae ; hand with irregular depressions, rough and strongly

serrato-denticulate on the inner side.

OF this strongly characterised species, the carapace issubordinate, smooth.

The external antennae longer than

the anterior pair of legs ; the tooth at their second joint,

extending to the extremity of the third joint of the basal
portion ; the palp nearly as long as the basal portion of

the antennaj, slightly curved, and fringed with a few long
hairs.

The

eye-stalks

areclub-shaped,

basal portion of the internal antennas.
slightlyunequal,the right being

and hand roughly granulated
the hand ovate
wrist toothedlong as thethe longer ;the wrist

the inner margin of the

;

;

as

The anterior feet;the surface of the rightwith irregular depressions the margins strongly serratoThe second and third pairs of legs are slightly
denticulate.
;PAGURUS

187

FORBESII.

compressed, the fourth joint spinous on the upper edge ;the terminal joint hairy, spinous beneath.

The whole of thelegswith numerous small

reddishbrown spots.
This curious species differs obviously from every otherTdiscovered it amongst someinhabiting our coasts.
small Paguri, which I received through the kindness of

Mr. Corks, of Falmouth, and which consisted of no lessThethan four species, all obtained by him on that coast.

was associated, were P. Bern-other species with whichithardus, Prideauxii, andleevis.

Of the present new one

there was but a single specimen.
I

have named this species

after

my distinguished friendand colleague, Professor Edward Forbes,

towhom I am

indebted for several interesting additions to the objects ofthis work.

DECAPODA

PORCELLANADJE.

ANOMOUHA.

GENUS PORCELLANA, LAM.
CANCER.
PORCELLANA.

Lin. Herbst. Pennant.

POKCELLANA PismiA.

Leach, Desmarest.

Lamarck, Edwards.

External antennae inserted at the outer

Generic Character.

side of the eyes; the basal portion formed of three joints, of which

the second is the largest and the longest ; the terminal portion very

Internal antennae concealed beneath the front,

long, setaceous.

External pedi/palps greatly developed the second
joint very large, rounded, with a single tooth on the outer anterior
very small.

;angle ; the third joint much smaller, irregularly trigonal, and withthe remaining joints fringed with long hair at the edges.
feet very large,

and moreor less flattened ; theAnterior

arm very short;the wrist long and dilated on the upper and inner edge, so as toform a hollow space, in which the hand

hand narrow

lies

when retracted;

thebecoming very broad forwards ; theSecond, third, and fourth
Hngers strong and scarcely toothed.
at

its

base,

pairs of feet ambulatory,nearly cylindrical ; fifth pair very small,didactyle, and doubled together at the latero- posterior angle of thecarapace.
inan

Carapace suborbicular, depressed. Eyes small, lodged
the parieties of which are imperfect, excepting above.

orbit,

Abdomen very large, much developed, nearly as long as the carapace,sternum, composed of sevenand terminating in a broad fan-like tail, formed,

ordinarily closed against thedistinct segments,

as in the MACEOURA, of the terminal segment of the abdomen andthe appendices of the penultimate.

IN this genus we find a marked approach to thecrourous groupinthe development of theMa-pedipalps andof the tail, as well as in several other less obvious charac-

GENUS PORCELLANA.
ters.

The form of thecarapace,180

however, recalls thatof the true BRACK YURA.

After a very careful consideration, I cannot place thegenus jiEglea in a different family from Galathea, nor thepresent genus from JEglea ; I have therefore thought itnecessary to form one large family of the two families
Porcettaniens andinGalatheides of Edwards.

few important particulars, excepting

Theydifferin thecomparative
development of the abdomen, and a corresponding difference in their natatory powers
and the general form is so;similar when the abdomen of the present genus is displayed,

as toshow to the most casual observer how near is theaffinity.

PORCELLANADJE.

190

PORCELLANADJE,

DECAPODA.
ANOMOURA.

HAIRY PORCELAIN CRAB.
Porcellana platycheles.
Front with three flattened triangular teeth, the middle one
Specific Character.
the longest, and slightly grooved ; hands very large, hairy on the outer edge ;lobe at the base.
fingers triangular ; wrist with a denticulated

Cancer platychdes,

PENNANT, Brit. Zool. (8vo.) IV. t. iv. f. 2, p. 9.
t. ii. f.

HERBST.

6.

LAM. Anim. sans. Vert. v. p. 230.

Porcellana

LEACH, Diet. des. St. Nat. xviii. p. 55.
Emv. Hist. Nat. des. Crust, ii. p. 255.

THE

carapacebroad, the front

in

this

speciesthetrifid,isratherlongerthan

middle lobe or tooth rather

longer than the others, and having a slight median groove ;the surface of the carapace polished, in young specimens

covered with short hair, which

where

it

is

permanent;islonger at the margin,a considerable depression behind

the genital region of the carapace
above.

;

the orbits much arched

The external antennae much longer than the cara-

HAIRY PORCELAIN CRAB.
pace.

191

The anterior legs are large, flattened above

the wrist;

quadrilateral, the sides nearly parallel, rather longer thanbroad, rounded beneath, furnished on the inner margin near
the base with a triangular lobe or tooth, whichisslightly

denticulated ; the hand flattened above, the palmar portion
triangular,

hairs ;

furnishedon the outer side with long close

fingersslightly incurved,

thetriangular,

meeting

only at the tips, the moveable one deeply grooved
its

throughwhole length, the inner edges slightly granulated. The

second to the fourth pairs of feet, compressed at therounded beneath, hairysides,

Ab-

the terminal joint very short.
;domen with the centre slightly raised.
Colour reddish-brown, paler and yellowish beneath;thehairs brown.

Ordinary length of the carapace half an inch
lengthof the anterior pair of legs one inch and three-tenths.
;

The distribution of this species is extensive, and in somelocalities it is also

very numerous.

I

have received speci-

mens from various parts of our coast, from the Orkneys to
the Land's End.
Irish coast ;in thefound also on several parts of theand it is plentiful on the coast of France, andIt isMediterranean.

Some of the largest and finest thathave come under my observation, were sent

Duguid from Kirkwall

inOrkney.

me by Dr.

It is a littoral species,

being generally found under stones at low water.
severely,asDr. Duguid remarks ;

and

if

seizedIt bitesby itsclaws, has the power of throwing them off instantly to facilitate its escape.

This is a further example of the favourable influence of anorthern climate on the growth and development of particular animals, thespecimens which

are ordinarily takenon the northern part of our coast, and especially thosewhich I received from Orkney, being much finer than those

192

PORCEIXANAD.E.

which T have obtained from the Mediterranean.
larobservation

has already beenmadeA simi-respecting

Pisa

tetraodon, and I have noticed the same difference in several
I have, however,lately received a very
from
the
coast
of
Cornwall, through thelarge specimen
kindness of Mr. Corks of Falmouth.

other species.

MINUTE PORCELAIN CRAB.

DECA PODA.

PORCELLANAD^E.

ANOMOUBAMINUTE PORCELAIN CRAB,
Porcettana longlcornis.
Front three-Iobed, the middle lobe with a deep groove ;Specific Character.

hands unequal, long, narrow, and convex.
Cancer langicornis,

PENN. Brit. Zool. iv.

Pisidia Linnaeana,

HERBST, II. t. xlvii. f. 3.
LEACH, Diet, des Sc. Nat. XVIII. p. 54.

Porcella/ia Leackii,

GRAY, Zool. Miscell,longicornis,

EDW. Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p. 257.

THE carapace is nearly circular, convex, nearly smooth,with a distinct thin lateral margin ; the front with threelobes, the middle one so deeply grooved as to appear bifid ;there are a few obsolete lateralregions.

The

striaeover the branchial

external antennae very long and slender ;the internal of moderate length.

The anterior pair of legsvery unequal, the larger being, in many cases, half asagain, and nearly twice as broad, as the smaller one

:

long-

in theformer, the arm is very short, the wrist large and quadrate,

the sides being parallel;thehand is convex, very slightlyoPORCELLANADyE.

and obtusely carinatedthe fingers, in the adult, touching;

only at the extremity, slightly tortuous ; the smaller handdiffers

from the larger

nated and grooved

in

being

much more strongly cari-

the fingers are hairy on the inner edge,;

The re-and the immovable one

bifid atmaining feet are slender,and scarcely hairy at any period.

the extremity.

The abdomen is broad, smooth, and without hair.

The colour of the carapace varies very muchrally pale red, frequently with irregular

;

it is

gene-

markings of dark

reddish brown, in other specimens of bright red.

The ordinary length of the carapace is from two lines to
two and a half.
It isThis is a very pretty and a very common species.
found under stones a little beyond low-water mark, and isvery often brought up in great numbers with the oyster
dredge.
Ibelieve that

the Cancer longicornis of

Pennant, C.

hexapus of Herbst, Pisidia Linnaeana of Leach, P. longicornis of the same author, Porcettana Leacldi of Gray, and P.
acanthocheles of Couch, are one and the same species, vary-ing only according to age and sex.

DECAl'ODA.

rORCELLANADsE.

ANOMOURA.

GENUS GALATHEA.

FABR.

Linn. Degeer. Herbst.

CANCER,ASTACUS,

Pennant.

GALATHEA,

Fabr. Latr. Leach, Edwards.

Generic character.

Antennce inserted on the same transverse

External antenna longer than the body, the three basa
segments thick, the second not longer than it is broad the terminal
line.

;

filament long and slender.

Internal antennae inserted beneath theeye-stalks, the peduncle elongate ; the last segment acute, multiarticulate, ciliatedbeneath.

External pedipalps with the last two
Anterior feet equal,

articulations neither dilated nor foliaceous.
ornearlyso,second, third,

acute nails ;theclaw well-formed;

and fourth pairs of feet simple,

alike in form, withthickerthanthefifth pair spurious,

others,very slender, doubled above theothers within the branchial cavity, terminating in a rudimentary

hand.

Carapace depressed, rather longer than broad, terminating
anteriorly in a sharp, more or less prominent, triangular rostrum,

which covers the base of the eye-stalks.
downwards.
six-jointed ;Eyes large and bent

Abdomen longer and nearly as broad as the thorax,
allof the joints without spines on the anterior mar-gin, and terminating in a broad fan-like tail.

THE species of which this genus is composed, are few innumber, although it

isprobable that some have been conThe genus as it has
distinct.

founded which are in reality
hitherto

stood,

accordingtoEdwards

and

other

late

writers, is composed of the genera GalatJiea and Munida ofLeach ;I

have, however, on

sufficient grounds, restored

what appears

to me to be

Leach's genus Munida ; which
O

2.

196

PORCELLANAD^E.

now consists of Galathea rugosa of Fabricius, and a new
species obtained by Mr. Darwin, and through his kindness,inmy possession.
The

reasons which have induced

me to consider, with

Dr. Leach, that the forms which constitute the two families

Porcellaniens and Galatheides of Edwards, are properly

one group, have been already stated.
Dr. Leach considered Galathea as the typical form of the family, as we

may conclude from his giving to it the name of GALATHEAD^E.

I,

however, cannot but think that Porcellana

form, and that Galathea, with Munida,
andGrlmotea
are aberrant, passing off towards thejfflglea,isthetypicalMacrourous type;although I cannot agree with Edwards

in considering these latter as true Macroura.

SCALY GALATHEA.

1.97

DECAPODA.

PORCELLANAD/E.

ANOMOURA.

SCALY GALATHEA.
LEACH.

Galathea squamifera.
Specific character.

side, the hinder

Rostrum short, with one

central spine, and four on each

one the smallest ; anterior feet broad,' flattened, covered withsquamiform tubercles ; the hands externally, and the wrists and arms internally
Third joint of the external pedipalps longer than the second.

spinous.

Cancer (astacus) squamifer,

MONTAGU.

Galatfiea squamifera,

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 393. Diet.
des Sc. Nat. XVIII. p. 51.
Make. Podoph.
Brit.

t. xxviii.

A.

ED\V. Hist. Nat. Crust.

II. p. 275.

COUCH, Corn. Faun. p. 77.
THOMPS. Crust. Irel. 1. c. p. 105.

THE carapace, exclusive of the rostrum, is a little longer

PORCELLANADJE.

198
than

it

is

broad, thelateralmargins withstrong acutetrianspines directed forwards ; the rostrum short, broad,with fourgular, terminating in a strong acute spine, andothers on each side, of which the posterior

is thesmallest.

The first joint of the internal antennee short, and enlarged
on the outer side, strongly spined anteriorly ; external antennfe as long as the whole of the body from the rostrum toExternal pedipalps longer than the rostrum, thethird joint longer than the second ; the latter trigonous
the tail.

with a regular row of small teeth on the inner edge ; theformer with a few spines on the outer margin. Anterior
feet broad, flattened, the arm

and wrist strongly spined on

the inner edge, without spines on the outer ; the hand withsmaller spines on the outer edge, none on the inner ; thesurface covered with small scale-like tubercles.

The

se-

cond, third, and fourth pairs of legs with a row of small
regular spines on the anterior margin.

The general colour of this species is a greenish brownbut some which

I;

Bognor were tinged withprocured at

red.

Length of the body from the rostrum to the end of thesuch was the length of some of the specitail, three inches;

mens which I obtained on the Sussex coast, but ordinarily
it ismuch smaller.

The first distinct account of this species appears to bethat of Montagu, which Leach quotes from his MSS.
is, however, a common species

western coast.

I

all

It

along the southern andhave specimens from Cornwall, DevonThe largest I have seenshire, Dorsetshire, and Sussex.

were procured by myself at Bognor, where they are often
taken in considerable numbers in prawn and lobster pots.
It is recorded as themost common Irish

Thompson, who observes thatitisspecies, by Mr.

found on all the coasts

SCALY GALATHEA.
of Ireland.

199

It appears to be pretty much a, littoral species,

occurring, according

tounder stones at low tide.

both Dr. Leach and Mr. Couch,I have,however, taken it by thedredge in Swanage Bay, Dorsetshire, and in lobster-pots at

Bognor, and Mr. Thompson mentions its being dredged byhim in Ireland.

This would intimate that they resort towater
deeperoccasionally, and Dr. Leach particularly mentions that suchishowever, whichI

the case when they are young.
in lobster-pots

procured
Sussex were adult and remarkably large.

Those,

on the coast of

The vignette below is from a picture by Crome of Norwich, in the possession of Walter Buchanan, Esq.

PORCELLANAD^.

200

PORCELLANAD.K.

DECA POD A.
ANOMOURA.

SPINOUS GALATHEA.
Galathea strigosa.
Specific clmniclvr.

FABR.

Rostrum short, with one central spine, and three on eachside ; anterior feet broad,thanvery spinous on both margins ; scarcely longer

the bodies ; external pedipalps with the second joint longer than the third.
( \nin-r

striyosus,.\.*/<iciis

Galat/ica striyosa,

LINN. Syst. Nat. XII. 1053. HERBST, II. p. 50, t. xxvi.

PENN. Brit. Zool. IV. p. 24, t. xv.
FABR. Suppl. 414. LATR. Gen. Crust, et Ins.
LEACH, Edin. Encyc. VII.

p.

398.

I.

p.

49.

EDW. Nat. Hist.

Crust. II. p. 273.
spiw'yrra,

LEACH, Malac. Pod. Brit, xxviii.

B.

THIS beautiful species resembles the former, G. squamiin its general aspect, but may be distinguished from it

fera,SPINOUS GALATHEA.

glance when adult, by the size and arrange-at the firstment of the spines on theexamination

careful201

itanterior feet ;and on a more

may be distinguished from it at allages, by the relative length of the second and third jointsof the external pedipalps ; in the present species the former,

andG. squamifera theinlatter,The

being the longer.

carapace is of nearly the same proportions ; the rostrum
has seven spines, three on each side of the central one,receding frombackwards and outwards.

itmargin armed with strong spines.

The

The

lateralexternal antenna?,with the anterior extremity of the first joint furnished withthree long spines ; a large spine above the auditory tu-

External pedipalps short, scarcely extending beyond

bercle.

the rostrum

when

stretched out ; the second joint

much

Anterior feet of moderate length,
exceeding that of the whole body from thelonger than the third.

much

not

rostrum to thesides,

tail ;

depressed, and very spinous on

excepting the outer margin of the arm.

all

Second,third, and fourth pairs of feet, also furnished with several

strong spines.

Abdomen with the second and third seg-ment unarmed.

Terminal segment (the central part of thetail) much smaller at the extremity than at the base.

Colour reddish,withsome blue transverse lines andspots.

Length four inches.
have thought rightI

to follow Dr.

Milne-Edwards

in1

considering this species as identical with Linnaeus' s Cancer
strigosus,

notwithstanding Leach's decided opinion to theappears tocontrary.

Itspecies,

as givenme that the description of thatby Linnaeus, agrees perfectly well with

our specimens of Leach's G. spinigera.
It is found in nearly similar localities with the former, butiscertainly occasionally

met with

indeeper water.

For

202

PORCELLANADJE,

the following interesting account ofand of theits habits,

earliest stage of its existence, as well as for the drawing ofthat stage of its growth from which the vignetteIistaken,

am indebted to my kind friend, Mr. Richard Q. Couchof Penzance, whose investigations in this andmany othersubjects of Natural History are well known.

" Thisisacommon species throughout the whole of the south coast of
Cornwall, and I have also foundon our northern shores.

itpools between tide-marks, where there are
It is, generally speaking, veryloose stones and sand.
It frequentsslow inits

itmotions, thoughwillfrequently

move with

From thevery great activity, especially when alarmed.
are
of
its
of
motions
first
its
alwaysgreat length
pair
legs,
In walking its pace is tardy but in swimretrograde.
;

ming

it

darts from spot to spot with the rapidity of anarrow.
It is never seen in any exposed part of the pool,
but always seeks the shelter of stones, or some hole in
It is
the rock, so that it can retire on the least alarm.

very remarkable to witness the accuracy with which they
will dart backward, for several feet, into a hole very little
larger than themselves ; this I have often seen

them do,and always with

with ova

precision.

They

are

laden

through the latter part of April and May, and the quantity
they produce seems to be between that of the long and theshort-tailed species.

The

Galathece are very tender, andthey soon die, andnot easy to rear the young.
I have on
manyrequire great care in confinement ;

hence

it

is

occasions hatched a very numerous family, but, like those

now before me, they soon die.

I

can only, therefore, oftera description of them as they escape from the ovum.*they liein ova, thetail isbent over the thorax, and thetermination rests on the space between the eyes.
*As

Sec the figures in the next page.

The tailSPINOUS GA LATHE A.

203

about as long as the body, slender, and composed ofseven annulations
it terminates in two diverging plates.

is;

The last two annulations are of equal size and seem almost
blended in one.

The terminal plates are armed posteriorly

with six bristles in each;the external ones are short, stout,

and pointed, the others are long and slender. The carapace is rounded and indented anteriorly, and the eyes area festoon of the shield.

Theantennse are short, terminating in a tuft of bristles.

The

large, sessile, and placed on

firstpair of natatory claws are three-pointed, and, besides

terminating in a tuft of setae, are armed also along theiranterior and posterior margins.
The posterior claws arein threepairs,

the anterior two of which are bifid ;thethird or posterior are small, situated at the posterior mar-gin of the shield."

204

PORCELLANAD/R.

DECAPOD A.
A NO M OUR.

POnCELLA NA DIE.
I.

EMBLETON'S GALATHEA.
EMBLETON.

Galathea nexa.
.^/if/'ijicHands hairy, without spines

cJ/anifter.

;

external pedipalps with thesecond joint longer than the third.

EMBLETON, in Proceedings of the Berwickshire Club.
THOMPSON, Annal. Nat. Hist. 1. c. p. 255.

(ialiitJica ncxa,

THE characters of this species approach nearly to those
two former species, and in some respects are inter-of themediate between them.
distinguishitfrom thosethe hands, and

the

The

principal characters

species,

relative

are in the armature of

proportion of thejoints of the external pedipalps.

which

different

Agreeing with G. squa-

mifera in the absence of spines in the hand, being, in fact,

more

free

from them than that

especially differing from G.

species,striyosa,

itand thus moreagreeswith theEMBLETON'S GALATHEA.
latter in205

the comparative length of the joints of the ex-

which the second joint isthe;spines of the rostrum are moreternal pedipalps or foot-jaws, oflonger than the third

flattened than in the other species.
Mr. Embleton statesthat the " ligament of the shell " differs in colour in thethree species, being bright blue in G. strigosa, brown in G.
nexa, and blackish in G. squamifera.

There can be no doubt of the distinctness of this species.

The characters above named are very constant, andhabitatisessentially different.

It

is

also

than either of the others, as I have seen
various localities, none of

by far smaller

many now fromthem exceeding that figured by

Mr. Embleton, and most of them much smaller.
one specimen,

thewith spawn,

of

which

the

I

have

thorax andabdomen together are not more than an inch in length.
Itisdoubtlessspecimens whichIaMr. Thompson's
deep sea species.
have before me, were obtained " fromthe stomachs of cod-fish brought from the coast of Down

and Antrim

tothe Belfast market ;

and

in

Dr. Drum-mond's collection are specimens which were similarly proI have several
cured."
specimens which were taken by

Mr. McAndrew in dredging in Loch Fyne at a depth offrom twenty to seventy fathoms, and by that gentleman
and Professor Edward Forbes at Zetland.

DECAPODA.

1'ORCELLANADsE.

ANOMOURA.

GENUS MUNIDA.

LEACH.

A STAC us.

Pennant.

GALATHEA.
MUNIDA.

Fabr. Latr. Leach, Edwards.

Generic Character.

Leach, Desinar.

External antenna with the second andthe terminal filament

third joints equal,

basal joint very large

long andInternal antenna inserted beneath theslender.

stalks, nearly contiguous.

;

what filiform, spinous within and on the upper surface.
longer thaneye-Anterior feet long, slender, and some-

Carapace

the margins ; the rostrum,
forming a long, slender, acute spine, with two smaller ones above
its base,itisbroad, spinousateach immediately above the inner angle of the orbit, anda small spine behind each of these.

Abdomenstrongly furrowed

transversely, with two or more of the segments furnished withsmall spines on the anterior margin ; terminal joint (or central

portion of the tail) nearly as broad atits

extremity as at

its

base.

THIS genus was founded by Leach

for

the

Galathearugosa of Fabricius, and, as it appears, upon sufficient
The general habit of the animal, the form of its
grounds.
rostrum, and the length and slenderness of the hands, withother characters, appeared to point out a very marked distinction between thisand all other species of Galathea of

Fabricius.
It,

however, appears that no subsequent author followed

Leach

in

considering thegeneric

distinction satisfactory

excepting Desmarcst, who, however, merely followed Leachon this and other occasions.

My own impressions, however,

207

GENUS MUNIDA.
in favour of thegeneric separation of this form, have re_ceived an interesting confirmation, in the existence of a

new and elegant species which I find among the fine colby my friend Mr. Darwin.
It possesses all the characters which I have recorded above

lection of Crustacea procured

as generic, arid in all of which ourown species

agrees,whilst the specific distinctions are striking and obvious.

have, therefore, thought

Munidato theitright togenus, which

restore Leach's

I

name

now consists of two very

distinct species.

The vignette, by Mr. C. C. Pyne, represents part ofthe coast between Hastings and Wiuchelsea.

208

PORCEI.LANAD-'E.

DECA PODA.

PORCELLANAD.E.

ANOMOURA.

LONG-ARMED MUNIDA.
Munida Rondeletii.
Specific character.

MIHI.

Anterior legs more than twice as long as the body; second
six, the latter with fourand third segments of the abdomen, the former withsmall spines on the anterior margin ; the other segments without spines.
Astm-iis Bamffilus,

PENN. Brit. Zool. iv. t. xiii.

Cancer Bamfficus,

HERBST, II. t. xxvii. f. 3.
FABR. Suppl.. 415. 2. LATR.

(;<il((tln'<.irugosa,&c. VI.
xxix.

Hist. Nat. Crust.

LEACH, Malac. Pod. Brit. t.

EDW. Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p. 274.

LEACH, Edinb. Encl. VII. p. 398.
LEACH, Diet, des Sc. Nat. XVIII. p. 52.

Baniffid\lnniilii I-/H/II.W,

THE carapace

198.

p.

i*

'slightly

elliptical,on the lateral margins;

transversely rugose,

the rostrum formed of a

LONG-ARMED MUNIDA.

209

long styliform spine, nearly half the length of the carapace;at the base of the spine, and above it,

immediately over the

inner angle of the orbit, are two smaller spines, one on eachside, standing directly forwards,

another still smaller.

and behind each of these

The anterior pair of feet very long,

being nearly four times the length of the cephalo-thorax,of nearly the same size throughout theirlength ; the arms
threetimes as long as the wrist, and, as well as thenearlywrist, armed with a, series of spines on the upper and on the

inner surface ; the hand enlarges towards theextremity ;the fingers are very slender, andthanthe hand.
longer

The remaining legs are long, slender, and cylindrical.
whole covered with close, very short hairs.
isThe

The abdomenvery convex, the second segment furnished with six, andthe third with four small sharp

The generalcolourisspines.

dull reddish yellow, with reddermarkings.

Length of the whole animal, from the rostrum to the tailinclusive, threeinches ; length of the anterior legs, nearly

six inches.

This remarkable species appears to be far from common

on our coasts, although it is probably more numerous thanhas been supposed, from its frequenting deep water. It was
found in Plymouth Sound by Mr. Prideaux ; I have received it from Falmouth, through the kindness of Mr.

Cocks

but

;

Mr. Couch.

itis

not included in the Cornish Fauna by

have

it also from Zetland, where it was
taken by dredging by Mr. McAndrew and Professor E.
Forbes Pennant received it from Barnftshire, and henceI;

named it A stacus Bamffius.

Mr. Thompson, in recordingits

repeated occurrence on the coast of Ireland, establishes

its

habitat in deep water by stating several instances of its

being found in the stomach of the cod ; andstillmore re-

210

POROELLANADJE.
"

markably, by the fact of its having been dredged alive inwater from one hundred and ten to one hundred andforty fathoms in depth,

off" theMull of Galloway."

These

were all of them very small specimens. It is, in fact, an
inhabitant of deeper water than any other of the family,
not excluding Galaihea nexa.
Ihave taken upon me,

in restoring the

genus to which

this species belongs, to change the specific name.

The dis-covery of a second species, as before mentioned, has ren-dered this necessary, as the latter is far more rugous in
and I have ventured
every part than the present species;

to name it in honour of its first describer.

i=5==**--^_^^-"lfi(-i r^~--

DECAPODA

l'ALL\'URID*E.

.

MACROURA.

GENUS PAL1NURUS.
Pcnn.

CANCER, (Astacus).
PALINURUS.

Generic character.

FABR.

Fubr. Latr. Lam. Leach, Edw.

External antennce very thick and longand united with its fellow in front of the;basal joint very large,

mouth, forming a broad epistome ; the three following joints verylarge and spinous ; the setae but little flexible, composed of numerous short articulations.

Internal antennce long, the basal portion

consistingof threetwomulti-articulate

shortlong cylindrical articulations, terminated bysetse.

External foot-jaws

pediform.

Feet wholly monodactyle.
The first pair thicker and shorter
than the others, with a spine at the termination of the penulti-

mate joint, constituting the rudiment of a thumb.

Carapace subwith
furrowamarkedcylindrical,
separating the gastricstrongly
from the cardiac and branchial regions ; its anterior margin armed
with two very strong curved spines, standing forwards over theeyes and the baseofveloped, being thickand longtheAbdomen very muchantenna?.
:

the

first

dages ; the four following furnished with false
male, double and hairy in the female.

only

of

each

de-

segment without appenfeet, single

Tail very broadin thethe base;

portion being crustaceous, the remaining

portionmembranaceous.

THIS genus comprises several large esculent species, one
only of which is an inhabitant of our coasts.
They arefound principally on rocky shores, and are very widelyextended.
It would appear thatthey were well known
to the ancients, and esteemed as foodand there is no
;

p

2

212

GENUS PALINURUS.

doubt that the Palinurus was the /capa/3o? of Aristotle,
and the Locusta of Latin authors the latter name being;

taken up by Belon, Rondeletius, and other writers of theearlier period of the revival of science.

This genus is the sole generic representative of the family.

The characters are, however,so importantand so strongly

marked, as absolutely to require this distinction.

The vignette is a view on the Thames at Chelsea, by
Mr. C. C. Pyne.

?'COMMON SPINY LOBSTER.

DECAPODA213
PALINUR1DJE.

.

MACHOUR A.

COMMON SPINY LOBSTER.
Palinurus mdgar'is.

Latr.

Lateral spines of the rostrum very large, triangular,
Specific Character.
smooth above, strongly dentate on the anterior margin ; a strong spine at theanterior margin of the carapace beneath the orbit.

Cancer (Astacus) Homarus,
Palinurus quadricornis,

PENN. Brit. Zool. IV. t. xi. f. 22, p. 6.
LATR. Hist, des Crust. VI.
1

FABR. Suppl. 401.
t. lii.

Homarus,fig. 3, p.

193.

LEACH, Edinb. Encyc. VII.
Lin. Soc. XI. p. 339.

p.

397.

Trans.

214
LATR. Ann. du Mus. III. p. 391. Regn. Anim.

Palinurus vulyaris,

LEACHT Mai. Pod. Brit. t.
EDW. Hist.Nat. Crust. II. p. 202.

Cuv. IV. p. 8.
xxx.

THE carapace

entirely covered with spines of variousisthe sulcus separating the gastric and hepatic regions

size ;

from theisportionposteriorcentral rostral tooth triangularand protect thecover

and smooth

deep
:

the

;

the lateral spines, whicheyes, arebroad,

thetriangular,

point sharp, the anterior edge furnished with a few strong
teeth ;

isa strong spine

margin of the carapace, below theanteriorvery

the base of eachatspine,

globose,behind themand the peduncle

The

external

isantennaelong,exposed, andare extremely

long ;

peduncle very thick and strongly spinous ; the basal

thejoint of each meetssmoothfellow beneath, forming a broad,its

epistome,

toothedcentre toothmuchlargerof this joint

is

cle

a

The

standingwith a contraction immediately

strong triangularmoveable.

isorbit,

forwards.

eyes are large,;

on the:attheanterior

than the others,

margin,at theits

baseplaced the organ of hearing, in a tuber-raised above the surface ;the remaining joints very

moveable, nearly cylindrical, with strong spines on thethe setaceous portion very long,upper and lower sides;

composed of numerous
unitedfor

antennae

the

are

long,

the

joint

nearly assetaevery short, andexternal
spines,feet robust

shorterlongpedipalps

and

are

its

the

the

timate joint or

length.

arecloselyTheinternal

two succeeding ones

pediform,
stiff

others,

the

the

The

joints with

short

The

hairs.
in;rings.

composed of several

the male, smaller

in

which

rings,

ofpeduncle cylindrical, the second

asof short

tufts

than

short

half

first

first

pair ofthe female, in bothmonodactyle,

but

the

penul-

hand has a strong spine on the inner

215

COMMON SPINY LOBSTER.

which forms a rudimentary thumb there are strong
the remainspines on the outer margin of the other joints
side,

;

;

without spines
ing pairs
strictly monodactyle and
The sternum
the last joint furnished with tufts of hairs.
areisThe abdomen

covered with tubercles.
the segments

lindrical,

in

;

is

nearly cy-smooth, terminating at the sides

a strong, flattened, triangular tooth

the first segment:

is without the usual appendages or false feet ; those of thesecond, third, fourth, andwhat fleshy in the maleand foliaceous

fifth
;

are simple, oval, and some-they are double

in the female

those of the sixth joint form, as usual,;the lateral laminse of the tail, which are partially covered

with short spines, and are crustaceous only at the outer
The central lamina or terminal segment
part of the base,abdomenof thepart, but

the

also

is

membranaceouswhole surface

atthe anterior

covered with numerousisstronger spines.

The length of the body, from the front of the carapace
to the end of the tail, is eighteen inches.

The

general colour

dull whitespots ;

theispurplish brown,legs reddish white,withirregular

with reddish

brown irregular longitudinal bands.
This fine species is an inhabitant of our western coasts,

where
is

it

occurs in greatbrought

market.

Itnumbers, and from whencetoit

Londontheinconsiderableismuch esteemed as an article of food, al-quantities

though certainly of inferior flavour to the lobster. It isbut sparingly found in the north, whether of England or
Ireland, but is equally common on the southern coasts ofboth.

It inhabits the bordersof rocks, where

it

is

often

taken in crab-pots.
Its

usual

reacheslengtheighteenisabout ainches.

I

foot,

but

have takenitsometimes

theforegoing

216

PALINURID.E.

description from a fine male specimen of the latter size,

pounds ; and I cannot but thinkthat Dr. Milne-Edwards is greatly mistaken in attributing

which weighs about

five

to individuals of thatsize

a weight of from twelve tofifteen pounds.

The vignette is from a sketch by Mr. Coke Smith, andrepresents St. Michael's Mount.

DECA PODA

THA LASSINADsE.

.

MACROUHA.

GENUS CALLIANASSA.
CANCER (Astacus).

LEACH.

Montagu.
Leach, Edwards.

CALLIANASSA.

Generic Character.
rizontalline.

Antenna; inserted in nearly the same hoExternal antenna; with an elongated peduncle,

and without any moveable

scale at the base.

Internal antennce

with an elongate, rather thick, cylindrical peduncle, terminatingin two setae scarcely longer than the peduncle itself.
External
pedipalps with thesecond and third joints very broad, consti-

tuting when in contact a broad oval disk, and terminating in asmall seta formedofthe last three joints

:

there

no

is

palp.

Anterior feet very unequal, one, generally the right, being extremely large ; the first three joints of moderate size ; the arm
furnished with a strong, hooked process on

itsouter margin ; thewrist andhand enormously developed, the former attached tothe arm by a narrow neck ; these two joints are of nearly thesame dimensions, and united by asmall, didactyle ;thirdsecondline :

pair

pair monodactyle, the penultimate joint

much dilated ; fourth pair simple;

pace small, without any rostrum.
fivestraight

fifth pairCara-

subdidactyle.

Abdomen very longsegments broad ; the sixth abruptly narrower ;

:

the

first

the seventh

triangular.

THIS genus may be considered as a fair type of theremarkable family to which it belongs, and which constitutes

the true fossorial group of the Macroura.

whole of them burrowgenerally

concealedinThe

in themud or sand, and remain

theseretreats.

They

are

cha-

218

THALASSINAD.E.

racterized

by thesemi-membranaceous texture oftheremarkable length of the abskeleton, bydomen, the compressed form of the carapace, the absencetheexternalof any laminar appendage to the external antennae, andother striking

The family

characters.

isdivided into

two distinct groups, according to the structure andtionof the respiratory organs.

belong to that division incontained within

margin andthe

All theBritishsitua-

specieswhich the branchiae are wholly

usualbranchial

sides of the carapace,cavity undertheand which are with-out any branchial appendages to the under surface of theabdomen.

Of the genus
species.

Callianassa

there

is

but

one

British217

CATXIANAS3A SUBTERRANEA.

DECAPODA.

THALASSINAD^.

MACROURA.

Leach.

Callianassa subterranea.

Moveable

Specific Character.

finger of the larger claw, thick, obtuse

wrist

;

and hand smooth.

Cancer (Asfctcus) subterranciis,

MONT. Trans. Lin. Soc. IX. t. iii. f. 1, 2, p. 89.

Callianassa subtermma,

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII.
Trans. Lin. Soc. XI,t.

THE

carapaceisabove, very smoothvery small.

xxii.

the

400.

p.

ED.

Malac. Brit.

341.

EDW. Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p. 309.

much flattened;p.

at thesides,

minute.

rostrumrounded

The eyes

The external antennae with a long peduncle:

the terminal and antecedent joints nearly cylindrical ; thebasal joint pyramidal.

The

internal

antennre have thepeduncle as long as the terminal portion, which

The external pedipalps

are ratherTheterminal joint acute, curved.

unequal:the larger, whichtimes the right,

on the edges

;

is

the

is

broad,
firstisdouble.

pediform;thepair of feet very

sometimes the

left,

some-

polished, ciliatedvery large, flattened,arm is furnished, on the inner side

THALASSINAD^E.

220
near

its

origin,of whichiswith a broad falciform process, the front
forwards

turned

the

;

wrist

is

quadrate,

long, connected with the arm by athe hand by its entire breadthandwithnarrow process,the hand, exclusive of the fingers, is nearly equilateral,broader than

it

is

;

smooth, with a distinct margin at the outer

stiff

hairs

the

:

smallerthemoveable one

meeting only at the point, thefingers

furnished withside,

anterior footisvery slender, the arm becoming somewhat larger at its
junction with the wrist, which also enlarges towards
the hand, each of these parts being longer than broad ;The second pair of
the hand is small and smooth.
feet is didactyle, the pincers robust, and the fingers acute ;the third pair has the penultimate joint transversely oval

and hairy

the fourth and;simple.

The abdomensmooth,roundedisabove,

fifth pairs

contracted

compressed

nearly filiform andeach extremity,
at the sides, theatsecond segment the longest, being as long as

it is

broad

;

the terminal or caudal segment semi-oval.

The colour of this species
living,isa rather bright red when

which colour it loses soon after death.

Length, about two inches.
The discovery of this remarkable species, which
as theconsidered

Britishmay beof the fossorial form oftype

due to Montagu who found it on the coast
Crustacea,Itof Devon, where it appears to be not uncommon.
insubterraneansimilaras
Leachstates,resides,passages,isto those formedby the Gebia.

has been found on theItcoast of France, and in the Mediterranean.

be considered as an Irish species

Thompsoncontents:" Marchof the25th,

stomach ofis

Its claim tothus stated by Mr.

1839.

On examining

theseveralindividuals

of

the

Platessa Pola, which were taken off Newcastle (County

CALLIANASSA SUBTERRANEA.

221

Down), two of the larger arms of this species, so peculiar
in form, and still retaining their beautiful
pink colour, weredetected."*The

vignette below,

by Mr. C. C. Pyne,

the beach at Hastings.

*

Annals, /. e.

isa view on

< Al'ODA.
MACROURA.

TIIALASSINAD^E.

(1ENUS GEBIA.
CANCER (Astacus).

Penn.

GEBIA.

Leach.

Generic Character.
rizontalline :

LEACH.

Antenna; inserted in nearly the same howithout any vestige of aexternal very slender,

joints sub-moveablescale at the base ;elongateinternal very short, the double seise rather longer than:

the seta very long,its

the peduncle, which is dilated on the outer side at the base.
ternal pedipalps pediform, slender.

First pair of feetrobust, nearly equal, straight, thearm becoming

wards

;

Ex-

somewhattrigonous for-the wrist short, rounded ; the hand elongate, imperfectly

cheliform ;the moveable finger large, turning

moveable one, which is not half its length.

down to the im-

The remaining pairsof feet slender, slightly compressed, monodactyle.
Carapacenarrowed anteriorly, terminating in a short triangular rostrum.
Abdomen narrowed at each extremity, somewhat depressed.

THE two recorded British species of this genus so nearly
resemble each other, that there is perhaps still some doubt

whether they exhibit more than sexual distinctions.

223

GEIUA STELLATA.

DECAPODA.

THALASSINAD.E.

Af.lCROURA.

Gebia

stellata.

Abdomen wholly crustaccous

Specific Cliaructcr.

;

tail

with the exteriorla-mella rounded, the interior subacuminate ; hands with granulated hairy lines.

Cancer (Astacus) stellatus,

MONT. Trans. Lin. Soc. IX. t. iii. fig. 5, p. 89.

Gebia stellata,

LEACH, Edin. Encycl. XI. p. 400.
t.

xxxi. f.

8.

1

Malac. Brit.

ED\V. Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p.

313.

THE carapace is closeat thesides,

the gastric region

hairy and sharply scabrous, elongate, triangular, andinminatingwith thea smallter-

External antennae

acute rostrum.

setce about the length of the body.
Anterior
with
the
arm
with
a smallcurved,legs
elongate, slightly
tooth near the extremity
wrist very little longer than
;

it

is

broad,

furnishedanteriorly

witha sharpspine ;

hand three times as long as it is broad, with the moveand slender, extending far beyond theimmoveable one : the second, to the fifth pair of legs, graAbdomen contracted at its exdually more slender.
able finger long

tremities

taccous.

;the sides, as well as the dorsal portion, crus-

The

tail,

with

the

centrallamina,narrowed

224
and a

THALASSINAD^E.
littlerounded forwards;

the outer lamina rather

longer than broad, the whole ciliated at the margin.

Length, about an inch and a half.

The discovery of this species, according to Leach, is due
to Mr. Gibbs, who found it in the KingVBridge Estuary.

Montagu says that it was taken with CaUianassa subterraa sand-bank at that place ; and he supposes it
to inhabit the burrows formed by the Solenes.
It is, hownea, inever, not to be

doubted that

it

forms

its

own burrows;

and Leach states that " it has been taken on some of theshores of Plymouth Sound, under the mud of which it
makes long winding horizontal passages, often of a hundred
feet or more in length."

The burrowingof these fossorial species

a subjectiswhich deserves more attention than has hitherto been paid
to it.

The means by which it is effected are at present

absolutely unknown ; nor is it yet certain whether they
ever avail themselves of the labours of other animals, orwhether the excavations
wholly the work of theirin

which they are found areown hands.

The account given

above, from Dr. Leach, of the extent of these passages,

appear at first scarcely credible, and may well challenge
a thorough examination of these points in the economy ofthese curious animals.

The difference of the depth which the various species ofthis fossorial family inhabit isvery remarkable;

the pre-sent species, with Callianassa subterranea,
being found ina sand-bank,when digging for Solenes,'''' whilst

Calocalis

Macandrecu was dredged from the astonishing depth of
one hundred and eighty fathoms.

GEBIA DELTURA.

225

DECAPODA.

THALASSINAD^E.

MACROURA.

Gebia deltura.
Specific Character.

"

Abdomen, with the back, submembranaceous;

exterior

lamella of the tail with thecated, deltoid ;Gelia deltura,

apex slightly rounded and dilated ; the interior trunthe hands furnished with hairy lines."
Leach.

LEACH, Malac. Podolph.

Brit.

t.

xxxi. fig. 9, 10.

EDW.

Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p. 314.

THIS species, if it be indeed distinct, differs from theG. stellata, in the following particulars
The
whole animal is very much larger, sometimes not lessformer,:than twice the length, and more than proportionally wider.

The carapace is much broader, and more spreading at thesides.

The legs are more robust

not more than twice as long as;

the arm of the first pairisbroad, the wrist evenshorter than broad, the hand thicker,

and the fingers morenearly of equal length.

The

it

setae

of theexternalan-tennae are shorter in proportion, being, according to Leach's

Q

226

THALASSINAD.-K.

The

half the length of the body.
figure,* not more thanabdomen is broader, more spread, and much less firm inits

almost membranaceous, andthe sides being

texture,the abdominal false feet larger and more voluminous thanThe

the other species.

indiffersome

also inbroader thanisitparticulars, the

long,

two

the

tail

exterior being rather

and the middle one, or terminal

segment of the abdomen, nearly quadrate. -frespectsof thedifferent lamellae

speciesvery

greatly

In

all

other

resembleeachother.

Whether the distinctions above enumerated constituteanything more than sexual characters, I cannot at present
determine, nor have I hitherto had access to a sufficientnumber of specimens to enable me to make a satisfactorycomparison

;

but

I

confessI

am very doubtful if it will

not prove, upon further investigation, that the two British
forms,and perhaps also G. littoralis of Risso, constitute
The form and development of the abdo-

but one species.

men, and the great volume of the abdominal
G. deltura,inare certainly very

false feetmuch like peculiarities

belonging to the female sex, and calculated for the support" Thisand protection of the ova.
species," says Dr.
" lives with G.
stellata, with which it was conLeach,founded until the

distinctions

were discovered by Mr.

J. D. C. Sowerby."*

In the only specimensI

have seen, which are thosein the British

Museum,the antenna; are somewhat injured.
"
The term " deltoid appears to be very much misplaced in describing this)part.

DECA POD A

THA LA SSWA D.E.

.

MACROUn.l.

(IENUS AXIUS.
Axius.

LEACH.

Leach, Desniar. Latr.

Echv.

External antennce nearly as long as thethe peduncle furnished above with a small moveable spine.

Generic Character.

body ;

Internal antennae, with two setae nearly as long as the carapace.

External pedipalps rather slender, pediform, the joints nearly ofequal length. Anterior feet unequal, compressed, terminated bya perfect claw;

the second pair compressed, didactyle ; the re-maining pairs slender, compressed, simple, (the fifth pair the most
slender and most compressed.)

Carapace much compressedla-Abdomen compressed, roundedterally; the rostrum triangular.
above ; the five intermediate joints of nearly equal length ; thecaudal joint elongate-triangular.

ONE

species

only of this genus

isatpresent known.

The genus is truly fossorial in its form, although in somerespects approaching to the natatory groups of PALJEMO,

ALPH.EADJS, &.c.

228

THALASSINADJ3.

DECAPOD A.

THALASSINADM.

MACROURA.

Axius Stirynchus.
Stirynchus,

LEACH, Trans. Lin. Soc. XI. p. 343.

DESMAR,
207.

GUER.

Mai. Brit. t. xxxiii.

Consider, sur les Crust,
Icon. Crust,t.

xviii.

t.

fig.

xxxvi.
5.

fig.

1,

p.

EDW. Hist.

Nat. Crust. II. p. 311.

THE carapace in this species is nearly semi-cylindrical,
but somewhat compressed at the sides ; the gastric region
punctate,

scabrous ;therostrumshort,

elongate-trian-

gular, having a raised margin and a raised longitudinal
median line. The first abdominal ring very short, fur-nished with a pair of rudimentary false feet ; those of thefour succeeding rings are fully developed, natatory,com-

posed of a short and thick peduncle, which bears at its
extremity a small styliform appendage, and two large oval
laminae, having the margins ciliated ; the terminaliselongate-triangular ;segment
and the two pairs of lateral caudal

229

AXIUS STIRYNCHUS.

appendages are broad, rounded, andgin.

thicker anteriorly, twice as long as

mar-ciliated at the

The first pair of legs are unequal, robust
broad

it is

the

;

;

arm

the wrist

broader than long, somewhat triangular
the hand thick,with nearly parallel sides; the fingers short and strong, cili;

ated with a few

The second pair of feet

stiff hairs.

dactyle, rather small, compressed ; thedi-arm as long as thewrist and hand ; the fingers weak ; the whole,particularly

the arm, furnished with long hairs at the inner margin.

Of the remaining feet, which are all simple, the third pairare the thickest, and the fifth the most slender.

The

following

observations

species are from Couch's"of theCornishtwo sexes ofFauna :"

this

" The maleof what I judge to be the same species differs from thefemale in the snout, which, inmy specimen of the latter,

was finely notched, and without the well-marked longitudinalridge of the former.

The outer antenna; of the male are fur-nished with a ridge of firm hair on their inward

line,

de-

creasing towards the point, which the female is without
and the former also has well-marked brushes near the;lateral edges of the abdominalrings."

Total length, three inches three lines.

General colour, pale reddish-brown.

This species, the largest of the family indigenous to this" atSidmouth,country, was first discovered by Dr. Leach

where it was taken amongst prawns on the shore.

Mon-tagu afterwards procured, near Plymouth, another speci-

men."

I

have received

kindness of Mr. Couch,itfrom Cornwall, through thewhois theonly naturalist thathas hitherto given any account of its habits.
" This" likethose of thespecies," says Mr. Couch,genus Callianassa, has the habit of burrowing in the sand,from which it rarely emerges, and then it seeks shelter in

230

THALASSINAD^.

a crevice covered with weeds,
tions, and, if distant fromforsluggish in

its

mo-

a soft bottom in which to sink,incapable of escaping an enemy.
tained,it is

A female that I ob-

loaded with spawn, was dug out of the sand in

the middle of summer.'"
It is clear thatthe occurrence of Dr. Leaches specimen

amongst prawns must have been purely accidental, as it isa fossorial

essentiallyserved, offeringsome

although, as

species,slightdeviations

from

I

before ob-

the typicalstructure of the group.
I

believe

Ireland.

Iit

has not been found either

have obtaineditfrom thein

Scotland orMediterranean,and Dr. Milne-Edwards records its being indigenous to the
French coast.

The subject of the vignette below
Wales, by Mr. C. C. Pyne.

ir-'fllr^'
?^

'

;^rS.

V

is

Barmouth, North

DECA rODA

TilA LASSINAD^E.

.

MACROURA,

GENUS CALOCARIS.
Generic Character.

External antennaeMini.
nearly on theplacedsame line with the internal ; the peduncle cylindricaltimate joint the longest

end of the

first

;

:

Internal antennae with two

joint.

the penul-

a large triangular scale reaching to thesetae,

morethan half as long as the external ; the peduncle cylindrical, with thejoints of nearly equal length.
gate, witha longseta.

very long, compressed ;wrist,

whichisExternal pedipalps pediform, elon-

First pair of feet somewhat unequal,

arm

the

twice as long as theslender,very short, subtriangular, flattened,somewhat gibbous, as broad as itiswith the handthe fingers

long ;

more than

three times the length of the hand, slender, much flattened ; se-cond pair ofsmaller;feetthird,

didactyle,fourth,andresembling

fifth pairs

theformer,but

andsimple, long,much

slender.

Carapace very large, terminating in an acute triangular rostrum,from which is continued, backwards and outwards, on each side,a raised line furnished with small acute spines.
subglobose, without any pigment or cornea-.
pressed, enlarged

tremity ;Eyes rudimentary,

Abdomen long, com-at the middle segment, contracted at each ex-

the terminal joint, or central lamina of thetail,longerthan broad, rounded.

OP

this

known, andinteresting fossorial
itisform one

species

only

now described for the first time.

though the structure of the feetin general,

is

Al-

and especiallyof the anterior pair, together with the presence of a spinouson the outer side of the peduncle of the externalantennae, and some other characters, exhibit an aberration
scale

232

THALASSINAD^E.

from the usual type of the fossorial family, yetcharactersshew ittobelong toits essentialthat group.

The most

remarkable peculiarity, however, which it exhibits, is theabsence of any colouring pigment and of cornese in theeyes, towhich more particular referencein the specific description.

will

be

made

CALOCAR1S MACANDRE/E.

DECAPODA.

233

THALASSINAD^E.

MACROURA.

Calocaris Macandrefe.

Mihi.

THE crust of this species is very thin, its texture slightand flexible.

The carapace is large, somewhat cylindrical,

narrowed forwards, and terminating in an acutetriangularrostrum, from which a raised line passes backwards andoutwards, furnished on each side with four sharp flattened
teeth, and inclosing a triangular space over the gastricregion.

A smallraisedmedialline

extends

along thewhole length of the carapace.
The anterior feet are
two-thirds the length of the whole bodythe fingers very
;

long,

much compressed, and longitudinally grooved, fur-nished with a few small tubercles;
gibbous, has a double carina on thethehand, which

upper

side,

is

which

234

THALASSINAD.E.

terminate

eachmoveablefinger.

a small spine above the orgriu of thein

The second pairand evenly didactyle,
first

pair,

but veryresemblingmuchof feetinisgeneraldistinctly

form

the

and the remaining
The whole of thesmaller ;pairs are very slender, and monodactyle.
feet, as well

as most of the limbs and other appendages,

are hairy.

The abdomen is shorter in proportion, and lesscylindrical, than in some other of the fossorial forms.

The generalcolourininvarying

depth

a

is

pink or paledelicate

different parts ;

but

rose,

soon becomesitwhite after being placed in spirit.

The total length is about two inches.
This species constitutes one of the most singular andinteresting

additions which

have, fora long time past,

been made to our list of British Crustacea.
in its essential characters to theexhibits

Allied as

it isThalassinada in general, itsome points of structure so abnormal, that at theexamination it would scarcely be recognized as belong-

first

Instead of theing to that group.

thickand clumsy

hands, the imperfect claws, and the short, solid form of
the other limbs, which are exhibited in Gebia and Callianassa, we see in this species a remarkable degree of slender-

ness in the limbs, and an almost normal structure of thehands, assimilatingitinPaleetnonida or Astac'idte.

some degree

to theordinary

The absence of all colouring

pigment, as well as of the cornea: in the eyes is a very
remarkable, and, as 1 believe, an unique instance in thewhole of the higher forms of Crustacea.
But it is admirably in keeping with its habits, as will be presently
seen.

In a fine collection of Irish Crustacea, made by my friend

Mr.

W. Thompson, and obligingly lent to me by him

some three

years

since,

there

occurredapairof the235

CALOCARIS MACANDREyE.

some crustacean which was wholly unme, and unlike every other form 1 had ever
The only note which I found appended to themanterior hands of

known
seen.

to

intimated that they had been taken from the stomach of aa ground feeder therefore, and in deep water.
Inthe course of last year (1845) I received from my friend
flat-fish,

Mr. MAndrew, amongst some other Crustacea dredgedby him in Loch Fyne and the Mull of Galloway, speci-

mens of the present species, an examination of which
at once shewed
me that the claws obtained by Mr.

Thompson belonged to the same animal.
and Professor Forbes haveMr.

M Andrewcsince again obtained

it,

and

have completely established the remarkable fact, that it
occasionally inhabits a depth of no less than one hundredand eighty fathoms, in which situation it is fossorial in
sandy mud. Now it is clear that at such a depth, andof fossorial habits too, distinct vision would be useless andunavailing ; and this at once accounts for the rudimentarycharacter of the eyes, which are entirely white, andexhibit the appearance shewn in the vignette.
I

have named

it

after

my friend Mr. M Andrew, whocand who has made so many important
additions to our British Marine Fauna.

firstobtained

it,

EYES OF CALOC AKIS.

DECA PODA.

ASTACW/E.

MACROURA.

GENUS ASTACUS.

Fabr.

CANCER.

Linn.

CANCER (ASTACUS.)

Penn:

ASTACUS.

Fabr. Latr. Leach, Edw.

External antenna inserted beneath, andGeneric Character.

external to the internal ; the peduncle thick ; the second and third

by a moveable

which

is

broad

in the middle, narrowed at each extremity, and acuminate.

In-joints subcylindrical, covered

ternal antennce with

two

short

setae.

scale,

External pedipalps withthe second joint very broad and thick ; the terminal portion rather thickand evenly curved.

First pair of feet unequal, tu-

mid ; the wrist short, rounded, and placed in the same line with
thearm ; the hands only slightly tuberculated

pairs slender, filiform, didactyle ;dactyle.

Carapacesmooth,withfourthaandsecond and third

;

fifth

pairs

mono-

strong transverse furrow

the rostrum short, triangular, depressed, and with not more than

one tooth on eachside.

Abdomen very smooth ;Thorax with the

last

joint

moveable.

the terminal or caudal segment armed

with a small tooth on eachside,

near the extremity, whichisrounded.

A FRESHWATER genus, very properly separated by Edwards
from the lobsters.

COMMON RIVER CRAYFISH.

237

DECA PODA.

ASTACIDM.

MACROURA.

COMMON RIVER CRAYFISH.
A stacus fiumatilis.

Auct.

Rostrum as long as the peduncle of the external antennae,
Specific Character.
with a slight elevation along the middle, and a small tooth on each side about
one-third from the extremity.
Carapace granulated.
Cancer fluviatilis,

A stacus,

RONDEL, Poiss. II. p. 10.
GESNER, ALDROV. et al. auct.

Cancer A stacus,

LINN. Syst. Nat. II. p. 1051.

A stacus Jluviatilis,

FABR.
235.

Suppl.

p.

406.

LEACH,

Diet,

LATR. Hist. Nat.
des

c.

Nat.

Crust. V. p.

EDW.

Hist, desCrust. II. p. 330.

THIS, the only European species of the genus Astacus,

may be readily known from others by the characters above
given

;

although the general aspect of the whole of them isso similar, that they might at

confounded.

a cursory glance be readily

2.38

ASTACID.-K.

The carapace

the present speciesinisgranulated, thesurface of the sides being scabrous and coarsely granulated.

The rostrumof moderate length, with a tooth on eachisside, about one-third from the apex

vation along themedianline,

distinctly raised.

There

is

:

there is a slight ele-

and the margina small tooth on

is

also

each

side

of the gastric region, near the base of the rostrum ; andThe anteriora spine at the anterior part of the branchial.
pair of legs are thickwhich becomeand rounded, covered with tubercles,

slightly spinous insome parts the wrist
the hand shorter than;denticulated on the inner margin ;the fingers, slightly denticulated on the inner margin ; thefingers

curved at theon the inner edge.

ispairs of feetThevery convex, and rounded above, eachseg-ment terminating at thecess.

and strongly tuberculated

the fourth and fifth monodactyle.

slender, didactyle ;abdomenpoints,

The second and third

sides

in

a sharp triangular pro-

The terminal segmentorcentrallamina of thethe lateral laminae
evenly rounded at the extremity
the
outer
one
fan-shaped,
slightly jointed about one-third
tail,

;

from the extremity.
General length, from three to four inches.
Colour, a dull greenish gray.

Few species are more abundantly diffused than this.

Itfound in almost all the rivers and larger streams, notonly of this country, but throughout the greater partisof Europe.

It ismarket as an

not unfrequently brought to the London

articleof food,

but

is

not

very highly
has long possessed a considerable degree of

esteemed.

Itinterest, inconsequence of the

facilities

which

it

affords

habits, and continuously tracing its hiswatching
it afforded to Reaumur the means of his
and
tory
very
for

its

;

interestingandoriginal

investigation

into

the

curiousCOMMON RIVER CRAYFISH.
subject of themoult of Crustacea

and;subject of his observations on the growthof the embryo.

239

Rathke thetoand development

The general facts thus observed, and their

bearing upon the two interesting subjects to Avhich theyrefer, will be found treated of in the Introduction to thiswork.
Their food consists of aquatic mollusca, the larva? ofand even of small

insects,also

do notany dead animals which may lie within their reachrefusethe water.

inand theyfish ;

They

generally

appeartorequiretheand hence
renewal of the respiratory fluid
and
found
streams
inhabiting runninggenerally

continual
are

;

in

rivers,banks.

which they conceal themselves

They change

end of spring, and,
rapidly for

their

like

in

holes in theannually, towards thecrusttheir congeners, they

all

grow

a time after this change, and become fleshy

and full.

My friend, Mr. Ball of Dublin, has favoured me withthe following amusing and graphic account of an indivi" I
dual of thiswhich hein confinement

kept

species,

which
an

:

had a

once

I

domesticated cray-fish, Astacus fuviatilis,
kept in a glass pan, in water not more thaninch and a half deep ;shewn that
cient

in

aeration,

degreesprevious experiments having

deeper water, probably for want of
thisanimalwould

notmy prisoner became very bold

;

live

suffi-

By

long.

and whenI

heldedge of the vessel, he assailed themwith promptness and energy. About a year after I had
him, I perceived, as I thought, a second cray-fish with him

my fingers at the;on examination, I found it to be his old coat, which he had
left

in

a most perfect state.

heroism, andflutteredHe was quite soft

;

about

My friend had now lost his
intheand every timeI

greatest

agitation.

entered the

room.

240

ASTACIDJE.

duringthenext twoterror.

On

the third heand ventured
dity ;

to use his

days,

the

he exhibited

appearedtosome timi-

nippers, though withand he was not yet quitesowildestgain confidence,

hard as he had been.

In about a week, however, he became bolder than ever ;andsharper, and he appeared stronger,

his weapons wereHe lived in all about two
a nip from him was no joke
was a very few worms, at
food
which
time
his
years, during!

very uncertain times ; perhaps he did not get

fifty alto-

presume some person, presuming to poach ingether.
his pond, was pinched by him, and plucked him forth,I

and so falling, he came by his death."
Mr. Balladds

elsewhere,

" The

water

was

never

some wasoccasionally added to supply

the loss by evaporation."

The truth is, that many Crus-changed,buttacea will live in the atmosphere, as long as they haveaccess to water

in

which

to

bathe theirbranchiae,

andthus preserve them in a moist and respirable condition ;but die from asphyxia

whenconfined

beneath a small

quantity of water, from which the air is soon exhausted.

DECAPODA.

ASTACIDsE.

MACROURA.

GENUS HOMARUS.
CANCER.

Linn.

CANCER (Astacus.)

Penn.

ASTACUS.

Fabr. Latr. Leach.

HOMARUS.

Edw.

External antenna placed above and to theGeneric Character.
outer

side

of theinternal;

dilated on the innerof the peduncle.

EDW.

side,,

thelaminar appendage

dentiform,

scarcely covering the penultimate joint

Internal antennce with the peduncle nearly as

long as that of theexternal.

External pedipalps pediform, ex-tending forwards beyond the peduncles of the antennae.

Anterior

the larger with the fingers strongly
legs very robust, unequal;
tuberculated on the grasping edge, the smaller merely toothed ;second and third pairs
dactyle.
side withdidactyle; fourth

and

fifth

mono-

Carapace nearly cylindrical, the rostrum armed on eachThorax with the last joint imthree or four teeth.

moveably connected with the preceding one.
cylindrical,

thesegments terminating laterally

triangular process; terminal
tail)

pairs

Abdomen nearlyaincentral

large

flat

lamina of thesegment (orarmed with a tooth on each side near the extremity.

Tail,with the exterior lamina divided transversely, about one-thirdfrom the extremity, with a distinct rnoveable joint.

R

242

ASTACIDyE.

ASTACW.E.

DECAPODA.
MACROURA.

LOBSTER.
Edw.

Homarus vulgaris.
Specific Character.

Rostrum extending beyond the peduncle of the externalantenna-, armed with two or three strong teeth on each side, without teeth onits

under surface.

Cancer yammarus,

LINN. Faun. Suec. 2033.

Syst. Nat. Herbst. II, p. 42, t.

XXV.

Astacus muriuus,

FABR. Suppl. 406. PENN. Brit. Zool. IV. t. x. f. 21.
LATR. Hist. Nat. des Crust. VI. p. 233.

Homuras vulyaris,

EDW. Hist, des Crust. II. p. 334.

THE body

is

thick

than

it

is

deeperand rounded;

the

COUCH, Corn. Faun.

cepluilo-thorax

broad, somewhat compressed

at

tin

1

243

LOBSTER.

the surface slightly punctatedsides ;:

a furrow separates

The rostrum pro-the gastric from the posterior regions.

forwards

jects

antennaj ;

it

as

far

four teeth on each side,its

nearly cylindrical ;side, just behind the basewith the peduncle
base armed with a strong tooth.

External

rostrum.

antennae

Abdomen semi-

Eyes globular, smaller than the peduncle.
cylindrical.

side

in

broad

;

a

external

diminishing in size backwards.

There is a small tooth on eachof theof thethe peduncle

asterminates in a strong point, and has about

The segments smooth, terminating on each
The tailstrong flattened triangular plate.

the external lamina strongly divided at its anterior

third ; the margin of its posterior portion closely dentated

two strong teeth
outer

at

commonthe:peduncle of the twoAnterior

legs very large, unequal, theonefurnishedwithlargervery strong tubercles on thelamina?.

which

prehensile edge of the ringers,isirregular ;thesmaller one with the edge of the fingers straight, and hav-

ing

numerous small teeth

the;hands with the inner

margin furnished with strong white teeth ; and the wristwith a few

similarand weak

the

;

ones.

The remaining

second and

third

pairs

legs

filiform

didactyle,thefourth and fifth monodactyle.

General colour dull pale reddish-yellow, spotted withbluish-black ; the spots coalescent on the upper parts.

The esteem

in

which

as a delicate article

are annually takenitperhapswhole class,

the
in

this

of food,

speciesisuniversally held

and the multitudes whichand broughttoour markets, rendermost interesting and important of the
a commercial point of view.
Lobsters

are taken on various parts of our coast, particularly on

From the southern and western coast of
rocky shores.
aconsiderable
number are constantly sent off
England
H 2

244
to theLondon markets, by the South-Western Railway

from Southampton, and by the Great Western from Brisandtol ;also by steamers from Guernsey and Jersey;

again from

the

of

coast

Ireland to

that

is

computed
market at Billingsgate

150,000 reach thebut the principal supply is from

not
;

From

Orkney and Lewes Islands,

the coast of Scotland and theitLiverpool.

than

less

Norway, from whence we derive not less than 600,000.
There is often in the season a supply at Billingsgate
of notlessthan from 20,000 to 25,000 lobsters

in

one

day.* If we allow only as many to be eaten in the wholeof England besides as in London, the multitude which areconsumed in the course of every year is enormous.

The period in which this immense sacrifice to crustacean
gastronomy principally takes place is from March to August but it is a mistake to suppose that the lobster is;During the latter part oflobsters are shedding
the
the
and
Augustfollowing mouth,

only in season during that time.

and the new covering is becoming indurated
but after that time they feed ravenously, and soon become
their coat,;plump and firm;

so that in

the winter they are probably

in as high flavour, and as solid for food, as during the period

when they

are most in request.

Mr. Saunders informs

me that he has reason to suppose the lobster to be very
seldom wanderingof their birthand he adds,

stationary,;from the spot
what one would scarcely

fifty

miles

have supposed probable, that " they are as varied in appearance and character as a white man and an African.""I could tell by looking at them," says Mr. Saunders, " thepart from whence they are brought."

This curious factiscorroborated by Mr. Couch, who, in his " Cornish Fauna,"*

For these

detailsT

amprincipally

respectable fish-salesman of Thames Street.

indebtedtoMr. J. E. Saunders, the245

LOUSTEK.

"

Lobsters do not strayfar from their haunts, and hence the discovery of a newhas the following- observation:

station is a fortunate circumstance for the fisherman ;each situation is found to impressand

its own shade of colour

upon the shell."
Lobsters are frequently caught in pots, similar to thosewhich are employed for the capture of crabs, and by some-whatsimilarmeans

differently shaped,

but in some localities the pots are;being formed of nets, which are helda nearly cylindrical form by three hoops, one at each
At one end the trap isend, and one in the middle.

inclosed ; at the otheritisentered by a funnel-shaped pro-longation of the net inwards,

like

some

rat-traps.

Mr.

Thompson informs me of the capture of a lobster by meansof a hook and line, baited with a whelk, which

informedheld;

was used

Whether the hook was taken I am nottaking cod.

forbut itisperhaps most probable that the lobster

firmly to the bait

itself,and suffereditself tobedragged out of the water rather than quit its hold.
It islobster,a well-authenticated and indubitable fact, that theaswell ascommonthecrab (Cancer pagurus),and several other species of Crustaceans, not only shed
and other limbs in case of severe injury totheir claws

them, but voluntarily.
limbs, the captive

captor,and the animal

field of battle ;On being seized by one of theirmember isleft inescapes,

the possession of theleaving his arms on theand it is also well known to fishermen andother practical persons, that the same loss of limbs willtake place in violent thunder-storms.
theintelligent

correspondent

had occasion to express"

toIn the wordswhom

my obligations,

I

have

of

already

Mr. Saunders,

they shoot their claws, especially after a thunder-storm
or the report of cannon, and whole voyages are destroyed

ASTACID.E.

246

by this means.
formed.

It iswere given new claws would be

If timea voluntary act, and does not injuriously
The following remarks on this sub-affect the animal."

my observant and accurate friend Mr. Couch,

ject,

by

will

be read withmuch interest, and

I

need

offer

no

apology for their extent.

Mr. Couch first speaks of the effects of injuries to theand observes that

antennae,itisan erroneous opinion

that these organs are ordinarily thrown off in consequenceof violence done to them, and afterwards renewed.

" I" found this to be the factbut,have not," he proceeds,
in
short
both
subjecting the parts to blows or fracture,;and long-tailed Crustaceans, I have found the creaturemost so when justsuffering acutely from the injury,

emerged from the water but in no case have they reof the violence.
jected the whole organ in consequence;If,

however,it

be violently handled, a separation takes

in preference
place at the terminal joint of the peduncles,
to any other place ; and from this wound no stream ofblood flows, but a fine membrane quickly forms on thesurface,by whichalleffusionisprevented.

This pre-servative process resembles that which takes place incase of the loss of the legs, and for the same purpose ;for crabs

and lobsters soon bleed to death, if the haemor-rhage be not restrained.

It isonly the legs, including

those bearing the chela or nippers, that are readily andand in some cases,
willingly thrown off by the animal ;as in Porcellana platycJieles, this is not only done on the
if to occupy the attention ofsome dreaded object, while the timid creature escapes to a

infliction of violence, but asplace of safety.

The general method of defence is to seize

the object with the pincers, and while these are left attached,inflicting,by their spasmodic twitchings, all the pain they

LOBSTER.

24-7

are able to give, the crab, lightened of so great an incumIt is by thebrance, has sought shelter in its hiding-place.

short and quickened muscular action of the limb itself, andby any effort of the body or peduncle that

notfected ;this is ef-

as the convulsion will continue for a considerable

time after the separation, it follows that the twisting off ofthe claw, where the animal has seized

human flesh for in-

stance, or any other sensible object, is the direct way to in-

Any or all the legs may

crease the violence of the grasp.

be thrown off on the receipt of injury, but not with equal
facilitymonin allthe species ; for in some, as in

the com-they be crushed or broken without great
violence, they are sometimes retained, and the creature
crab,

if

To save the crab
will in no long time bleed to death.
the fishermen proceed to twist off the limb at the proper joint, or give

and

in

of thecaseeithercrust

atmuch regarded
lular

it

;

a smart blow, whenthebleeding

the extreme
for,

being

is

is

rejected ;Fracture

stopped.

isnotwith an insensible

cel-pointsfilleditof thelegs

membrane, no violent action is excited in the muscu-

lar structure, and the part seems capable of some attempt at

restoration, at least sufficient to render theevil

endurable

until the period of a general renewal of the surface.

After the loss of a limb, a considerable time elapses
but under
before any attempt at restoration is visible:

some circumstances the process
while itisadvancing, it isof the creatureisismuch accelerated;

commonly found that theunusually flaccid and watery.

and
flesh

In thenew
appearance
limb is in the middle of the scar, from whence proceeds
a soft member of minute size, doubled on itself, but withmost common

species, thefirstof theallthe proper proportions, and enclosed in an exceedingly

finemembrane, by which it is bound down.

Much of the

248
first

ASTACID,E.

stage of the growth of the new limb is accomplished

beforeitacquires density ; but when the crust is renderedfirm, the nutrition no longer proceeds

membrane;through the encasing
which a slight motion of the limb lacerates, andthe leg extends to its natural position ; but it continues fora long time of amuch smaller size than the corresponding

one of full growth, sometimes also appearing as if distorted, either from deficient nourishment, or from injury
received in its unprotected state."some specusome statements

I have omitted from this interesting detaillationsoftheobservantauthor,andand itrespecting which he himself speaks doubtfully
appears to me that it contains by far the most satisfactory;and most simple statements of this interesting fact thathave ever appeared. Although Mr. Couches observationstwere chiefly made upon brachyurous forms, there is no
doubt that the process is precisely similar in all the higher
forms of Crustacea.

The reproduction of the lobster would be multitudinous,
were not the young destined to become, in myriads, theprey of fish of various descriptions.

The metamorphosis of thisspecies has been

examinedwith care by several naturalists, and particularly by my
The details, as far as theyfriend Mr. R. Q. Couch.
belong to the general subject, will be found in the Introduction.

If the following statement, with which I have been fa-

voured by Mr. Peach, be correct, it proves that the attachment of these creatures for their progeny does notcease onthe deposit of their spawn, but continues, in avery pleasing and interesting manner, much longer than inmany animals of a higher grade of organization.

"I have heard the fishermen of Goran Haven say that

249

LOBSTER.

they have seen in the summer, frequently the old Lobsters
with their young ones around themsome of the young',;

One man noticed thehave been noticed as six inches long.

old Lobster with her head peeping from under a rock, theyoung ones playing around hershe:appeared torattleher claws on the approach of the fisherman, and herself

and young took shelter under the rockdoubt, was to give the alarm.

I;this rattling,

have heard

this

no

from

several, some very old men, who all speak to this without
and they are men I canconcert, and as a matter of course;

1 ''readily

2TV-H-

believe.'

a
'

***

^WJlSMiBFV A"

I

u 1 |-*"**'-Vi--^*!^^:-.i*r 1 l ""^!!'
1

ASTACWM.

DECAPODA.
MACROURA.

GENUS NEPHROPS.
CANCER.

Linn. Herbst.

ASTACUS.

Fubr. Penn. Latr.

NEPHROPS.

Leach, Edwards.

External antenna with the scale of theGeneric Character.
first joint

LEACH.

extending to the extremity of thepeduncle.

Internal

antenncB with the basal joint very broad, triangular, terminatingin

twosetee,

the superiormuchthicker than the inferior,andslightly compressed. External ped ipalps much elongated, the second

Eyes very large, reniform. First pair of feetvery long, unequal ; the hands quadrangular, the angles carinatedand strongly toothed the fingers armed with strong tubercles

joint the longest.

:;these and the second and third pairs are didactyle; the fourth andfifthmonodactyle.

lateralAbdomensemi-cylindrical,

sculptured; theprocesses of the segments laminar and thin.

Carapaceterminating in a long rostrum, strongly dentate on each side.

genus consists but of a single known recent species.
It is nearly allied to Homarus

and to Astacus, and may

be considered as in some respects intermediate between

them.

NORWAY LOBSTER.

251

DECAPODA.

ASTACIDjV.

MACROURA.

NORWAY LOBSTER.
Leach.

Nephrops norvegicus.
Cancer norvegicus,

LINN, Syst. Nat. I. 1058

Astacus

FABR. Ent. 418.

,,

Neplirops

HERBST, II. t. xxvi. f. 3.
PENN. Brit. Zool. (8vo.) IV. t. xiii. f.

l,p.23.
ID. Trans. Lin.
LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VII. p. 400
EDW.
Malac. Pod. Brit. t. xxvi.
Soc. XI. p. 344.
Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p. 336.

THE body of thiscylindrical ;thesurfaceelegant species

iselongated and sub-the cephalo-thorax compressed at the sides ;slightly

armed with sevenpubescent:thelines of points, ofgastric

regioniswhich the outermost

252

ASTACID^E.

pairnumbermore than three or four inare not

converge

towards

rostrum

the

and

;

the

inner
a

into

pass

The rostrum

double carina which extends to its extremity.

extends beyond the peduncle of the external antennae, andisarmed on each side with three oblong teeth

;

it is

ciliated

The posterior portion of the thorax
has three lines of small points: a strongly marked sulcus
The eyes are remarkruns within the posterior margin.

on each side beneath.

ably large
theirand reniformthe;very small atpedunclesThe

origin, becoming suddenly much larger.

pe-nearly as long as the
rostrum the first joint has a triangular spine at the outerside ; from the anterior margin of this joint arises theduncle of the external antennaeis:broad falciform scale, which extends forwards to the ex-

The basal joints of thetremity of the peduncle.
The first pairnal antennae are very broad and laminar.
inter-of feet are very long, unequal, in some cases the right,
the arm is slender, enin others the left being the larger:

larging towards its anterior extremity,
below, and armed with a few teeth:

carinated above andthe wrist, whichiscashort, is armed above with strong teeth, and is strongly

rinated:nated

the handiscaridistinctly four-sided, strongly

the carinse armed with tubercular teeth, the upper;in a single, and the others in a double series ;diate spaces concave, and slightly pubescent:

the interme-

the fingers arearmed with strong tubercles, particularly those of the larger
claw, and the moveable onegin.

The other

legs

are

the second and thirdistoothed on
slender,filiform,pairs being

The abdomen isment being

beautifully

sculptured

andpolished,

short

but

dense

the

outer mar-and smooth

didactyle, theand fifth monodactyle.
smoothits;

fourthlong, each seg-theraisedportions

depressions

coveredwith apubescence.

;

The epimeral

portionof

NORWAY LOBSTER.
theabdominal segment

first

is

253

small andrudimentary;

the second is very broad and subquadrate ; the remainderThe

are acutely triangular.

outer lamina

tailslightly divided

isvery broad, and theisattransversely

its

an-

terior third.

The general colour is pale flesh, rather darker in parts;

the pubescence light brown.

The length of the body from the tail to the rostrum isfrom seven to eight inches.
This is certainly one of the most beautiful of the larger

Macroura.
but

species,

It is to be considered generally as

have received

I

Mediterranean.

It

is

fine
specimens from thefound on the coast of Norway inconsiderable quantities ;Scotland, anditisthe shops ofalso taken on

the coast of

not unfrequently sold in the Edinburghisand other northern markets.
ata northernIhave occasionally seen

London fishmongers.

It is

it

said to be avery delicate and well-flavoured food.

it

Although, as I have mentioned above, I have obtained
from the Mediterranean, (Dr. Milne-Edwards also

records it as being taken in the Adriatic,) yet

range

is

bleton says that

it is

not

only the Frith of Forth asdrew procured
Irish coastitgeneralMr. Em-uncommon on the coast of BerLeach names

wickshire, but is rarely seen farther south.

ing toits

certainly confined to northern limits.

its

habitation.

Mr. MAn-On theby dredging
has been taken in Belfast Lough, accordit

Mr. Templeton.

inLoch Fyne.

Mr. Thompson

says,

" I

have

heard of its being taken near Portaferry, about the entrance to Strangford Lough, and thatithas been pro-He
cured in numbers off Dundrum on the Down coast."" It isadds,
brought in great quantities to Dublin as anarticleof food ;" and in a letter recently

received from254

AST ACID JE.

the same gentleman, he mentions its having been found in

the stomach of the cod, " near Donaghadee, county Down,

and alsoatDungarvon, county Waterford." According
it isvery numerous in Dublin Bay andto Mr. R. Ball,he has takenit;from the stomachs of cod bought at thatplace.*
Itis

not included in the " Cornish

Fauna

"

by Mr.

Couch, nor have I ever heard of its appearance on that partof the coast.

Mr. Thompson states that he has received

specimens from Holyhead by Captain Fayrer, R.N.
*

Thompson on the Crustacea of Ireland, 1. c., p. 209.

'''

CRANGQN1DM.

DECAPODA.
MACROURA.

GENUS CRANGON.
ASTACUS.

Herbst, Penn.

CRANGON.

Fabr. Latr. Leach, Edw.

External antennae situated nearly on the

Generic Character.

same line with the internal, on the outerbeneath them.
at

side,

and a very little

Internal antennae dilated at the base, and having

the outer side a broad scale ; the peduncle short,

External pedipalps pediform ; thenating in two filaments.

minal joint obtuse and flattened.
stronger andthicker

and termiter-First pair of feet subdidactyle,than the others

the

;

hand

flattened,themoveable finger inflexed upon the hand, and meeting a rudimentary thumb the second and third pairs very slender ; thesecond didactyle the fourth and fifth shorter and thicker than the:;

Carapace depressed, and with only a rudiment of a rosAbdomen large and rounded. Branchiae only seven on

former.

trum.

each side.

THE family to which this species belongs is distinguished
from

all

othersby the insertion of the two pairs of anand the subcheliform structure oftennae on the same line,

the anterior hand.

Edwards in restoring
pliilusIamtoinclined

this

to follow Dr. Milne-

genus Leacli's genus Ponot-

and Risso's Egeon, separated unnecessarily from

Crangon, which, in fact, constitutes the only known genus
It may, however, be conveniently dividedof the family.

into two sections, in one of which the second pair of feet is

as long as the first, in the otherhalf as long.

Leach

;

it

is

not

much more thanThe first constitutes the genus Crcmr/on of

the second PoutopTiilus of the same author.

256

CRANGONID.E.

CRANGONID/E.

DECAPODA.
MACROURA.

COMMON SHRIMP.
Fabr.

Crangon mdgaris.

Carapace and abdomen smooth, excepting a small spine
Specific Character.
on the median line of the gastric region, and one on each branchia ; second pairof feet nearly as long as the third.

Astacus Crangon,

HERBST, II. p. 57, t. xxix. fig. 3, 4.

PENN. Brit. Zool.

IV. t. xv. f. 30.

FABR. Suppl. 410.

Oranyan vulyarin,

LATR. Hist. Nat. des Crust. VI. p.

2G7, t. lv. f. 1, 2.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. xxxvii. B.

EDW. Hist. Nat. Crust. II. p. 341.

THE carapace

inthis speciesislarge,

rounded, some-what depressed, particularly towards its anterior part
there is no rostrum, but a slight elevation on the me:a minute spine directed
forwards over the gastric region, and one a little moredian line, between

conspicuoustheeyes ;

on each branchia.

The eyesareconspi-COMMON SHRIMP.

257

The external annaked, and not very distant.
tenna) have the peduncle about half the length of thecuous,

moveable plate, which terminatesinternal margin dilated

are placed very

two shortinand hairy.

a smallspine ;

its

The internal antenna)

above the external, and terminate

littleThe

filaments.

considerable length,

inexternal pedipalps

are ofextending forward beyond the pe-duncles of the external antenna) ; the terminal jointmuchelongated.

The

anteriorlegs

torobust and smooth, the hands

a curved moveable

furnished with
flectedarefinger,

which

is

in-

meet a small spiniform rudimentary thumb.

The remaining

legs

filiform,elongated ; the secondthemost slender and minutely didactyle ; the others monoA strong spine on the sternum between thedactyle.
anterior pair of legs.
ed,and smooth.

Abdomen regularly tapering, round-

The

tail

with the middle lamina nar-row, and pointed at the extremity.

Abdominal false feetvery long.

Colour greyish- brown, dotted

all over withdark brown.

Unlike most of its congeners, it does not become red

by

heat.

Total length from the eyes to the extremity of the tailtwo inches and a half.
This is one of the most abundant of the coast species of
Crustacea.

It

is

taken

in

multitudes forthe table on

our sandy shores, ordinarily by means of nets,
which are pushed forwards by the " shrimpers," who wadenearly to their middle for hours together, raising the net

almostallat intervals, and taking out the shrimps, which are secured

In some parts of the coast, as at Poole, thiscomparatively rare, and is not used as food.
species
The smaller Palamonidtf are here called " shrimps ;" andina bag.
is258

CRANGONID.E.

when of small size and sold by measure, they are termed"

cup-shrimps."

The present

speciesiscalled theSand

Shrimp, and the smaller prawns the Rock Shrimp.
In the breeding-season the shrimps approach the estuaries,and even ascend the rivers to a considerable

dis-tance.

"" thisspecies chiefly
Although," says Mr. Thompson,I
it brought
have
seen
frequents sandy shores,
occasionallyup in the dredge from deep water, and at a considerable
distance from land, in the loughs of Strangford and Belfast.
Mr. R. Ball mentions that shrimps, though taken in large
quantities at Youghal, are held in little esteem ; but that theprawn (Palamon serratus), caught abundantly attides, ismuch thought of.

This latter

there, the former the 'gray shrimp ;'in Smith's'calledisspring''shrimpthis term is also used1

History of the County of Cork, written nearlya century since."

The following observations
late Mr. Hailstone's

"
ings.

AlthoughIhave selectedfrom theMS. Notes on the Crustacea of Hast-ingeneral this species

some, yet instances occasionally occur

inisvery whole-

which

it

pro-

duces effects similar to those Avhich sometimes follow theeating of mussels.

They swim in the water

or

lie

upon

the sand in shoals, and are taken by a large net with asemicircular mouth, which the shrimper pushes before him

along the bottom of the sea during the ebb-tide.

they so closely resemble the sand,by the tide, they are with

In colour

that, in the pools left

difficulty distinguished.

They

are in spawn throughout the year, and cast the shell inMarch, April, and May."BANDED

259

SHRTRH>.

DECA PODA.

CEANGONID^.

MA CROUP A.

BANDED SHRIMP.
Risso.

Crangon fasciatus,
Specific Character.

menSecond pair of feet shorter than the first and third

;

abdo-

smooth, rather suddenly contracted at the posterior third, with a broad

brown band across the fourth abdominal segment
Crangon fasciatus,:

no sternal spine.

Risso, Crust, de Nice, t. iii. f. 5. p. 82.
1'Eur.
p.

Merid. V. p. 64.

Hist. Nat. de

EDW. Hist, des Crust. II.

342.

FOR the first time I am enabled to publish this interesting

littlespecies as indigenousto

our coasts.

found

I

some small Crustacea, many ofwhich were very interesting, sent to me by Mr. Alder, by

three specimens amongst

whom they were taken in Salcombe Bay, Devonshire, inthe course of his investigations on that coast in search of
the nudi branchiate molmsca, themore immediate

resultsof which are well known by the splendid work of that
gentleman and Dr. Hancock, published by the Ray Society.
S

'A

260

CRANGONID.E.

This species considerably resembles the common shrimp
in its general aspect ;itdiffers

from

it

in

the internal anteunse

but, besides being very much smaller,

many particulars.
isThe peduncle oftheproportionally much shorter ;spines on the branchial region of the carapace obsolete.

The first pair of feet are robust, the moveable finger muchthe second pair of feet shorter than the first andthird, extremely small, minutely didactyle ; the third paircurved;very slender.

The abdomen is as large as the thorax forrather more than half its length, and then contracts some-what suddenly, by which it may be at once distinguishedfrom young individuals of the other species.

There is alsoa remarkable brown band across the fourth segment of theabdomen, and a spot or two of the same colour on thesides.

Total length six-tenths of an inch.

261

SPINOUS SHRIMP.

CRANGONID^.

DECAPODA.
MACROURA.

SPINOUS SHRIMP.
Crangon spinosus.
Specific Characier,abdomen nearly smooth
fifth, sixth, andLeach.

five longitudinal series of teeth ;the third and fourth segments slightly carinated ; theCarapace armed with;seventh, channelled.

Crangon spinosus,

LAM.
LEACH, Trans. Lin. Soc. XI. p. 346
Hist. Nat. des Anim. sans Verteb. V. p.

Pontophilus

LEACH, Mol. Brit. t. xxxvii. A.

Crangon catapltractus (in part),

EDW. Hist, des Crust. II. p. 243.

202.

THE carapace of this species is armed with five longitudiThe laminar appennal series of teeth directed forwards.
of thedage of the external antennae about the lengthInternal antennae very
peduncle of the same antennae.
First pair of feet strong, the moveable finger
short.

moderately curved;

the second pair extremely small, but

distinctly didactyle ; thethird pair very slender

and

fili-

262

CRANGONID^E.

form

the fourth and

;

fifth

stronger.

The abdomenisnearly smooth; the third and fourth segments obtusely
carinated in the centre ;the fifth with a triangular depres-sion ; the sixth and seventh distinctly channelled.

Length one inch and a half.

A careful examination of several British specimens of
this species,

and of a well marked one of the Mediterra-nean form, with which, I believe, it has been erroneously
confounded, has led me to reject the alleged synonyms of
Risso and Roux, which appear to me to belong to a very
distinctI

am not aware of thegrounds uponwhich Dr. Milne-Edwards has considered the Egeon loricaRisso as the male of the Pontophilus spinosus oftus ofLeachspecies.

;

but

I

feel

very confident that they belong to dif-ferent species.

Although the spinous shrimp is

to beranked amongst

the rarer of the small Macroura of this country, it
extensive in its range.

mens known

to

him

;

is

very

Leach speaks but of two specione obtained by Mr. Prideaux inPlymouth Sound, and the other taken off Falmouth by
the ill-fated Cranch.
Mr. Couch states, in his "Cornish
Fauna," that he has obtained it only once, when he found it
in the stomach of a fish taken at a depth of from twelve
to fifteen fathoms.

I

have a specimen taken by my friends

Professor Forbes and Mr.

M Andrew, off Shetland.
cBy the following extract from Mr. AVilliam Thompson's
itwould appeal-has been found on the Irish coast.

" In Mr. V.

observations on the Crustacea of Ireland,
that

it

Thompson's

collection

there

is

a specimen

bearing thename of Pontophilus spinosus, and marked as Irish."263

SCULPTURED SHRIMP.

CRANGONID&.

DECAPODA.
MACROURA.

SCULPTURED SHRIMP.
Grangon sculptus.
Specifc Character.
three small teeth ;the other

:

Mihi.

Carapace with several raised lines, each armed with two or

two spines on the median line, one considerably posterior tosecond pair of legsmuch shorter than the first, didactyle:

abdomendistinctly sculptured ; third, fourth, and fifth segments sharply carinated ;sixth

and seventh, channelled.

OF

this

new

species I

possess

two specimens, whichfound amongst some small Crustacea dredged by Mr.
Bowerbank at Weymouth. Like Egeon loricatus of Risso,I

Pontophilus spinosus of Leach, and Grangon septemcarinatus of Sahine, it has several denticulated carinse on the
carapace, and might at first sight he supposed theof some one of them.

It

is,

young

however, a very distinctly

marked species.

The carapace is rough, with about five irregular raisedlines,

each armed with two or three small teeth, and two

small spines on the median line, one behind the other.

The

2G4

CRANGONID.E.

laminar appendage of the external antennae, a little longer
than their peduncle.

The first pair of feet, with the hand,smooth and rounded, thefingervery distinctly sculptured

moderately curved;

thethe raised portions polished,

the depressions slightly pubescent
fifth

;

The segments of the abdomen

second pair of feet minute.

:the third, fourth, andsegments with a distinct central carina;

the sixth andseventh channelled.

Length seven-tenths of an inch.
It differs for C. spinosus in the less regularly longitudi-

nal direction of the lateral raised lines on the carapace, theless pointed and fewer teeth of this part, the longer

propor-tion of the antennae-scale with relation to the peduncle,

and, strikingly, in the sculpture of the abdominal segments,

and the extent and sharpness of the carina on

this

part.

Of the two specimens which I possess, one has several ova
attached to the abdominal false feet.

265

THREE-SPINED SHRIMP.

DECAPODA.

CRANGONIDjE.

MACROURA.

THREE-SPINED SHRIMP.
CrangonPontophilus trispinosus,

OF thistrispinosus.

HAILSTONE, Mag. of Nat. Hist. VIII. p. 261, fig. 25.

I therespecies I have never seen a specimen ;fore content myself with copying

Mr. Hailstone's descrip-

and Mr. Westwood's observations on the species
premising that the characters, as Mr. Westwood very pro-

tion,

;

of Milneperly remarks, entirely confirm the correctness

Edwards, and other continental

careinologists, in rejecting

the generic separation of Pontophilus from Crangon.
" On Marchseveral individuals of a
1st,

species of1834,

Pontophilus were brought to me, which had been caught ina shrimping-net upon this coast.

They had only

three

spines on the thorax ; one in the middle, and one on eachside ofit.

Their colour wasmuch likea shrimp's, butof golden blots.
paler, less clouded, and with a sprinkling

Their length about an inch.

They werecalledby the266

CRANGONID.E.

man who caught them''pug-shrimps

he said he had;

never observed them before this last winter.

The females

were with spawn."

Thus far Mr. Hailstone.
follow

Mr. Westwood's observations:" Of Mr. Hailstone's

Crustacea, probably the

new Pon-be regarded as possessing the highest interest,
topJiilus will
inasmuch as the propriety of the establishment of thegroup, which was at

firstconfined to a single species,

isThe character of this genus, as defined
thereby proved.
of Crangon (ofby Dr. Leach, separating it from thatwhich the common edible shrimp, Crangon vulgaris, is thetype), consisted

in the very small size of the second pair ofand acuteness of the terminal joints oflegs, and the length
the external

foot-jaws

orpedipalpi.

These characters,

however, to which that of the spinous shell might be added,

have been deemed by the French crustaceologists

insuffi-cient to warrant the generic separation of the two groups ;and, on considering the characters of the

new species fromI think, be

Hastings, the correctness of their opinion must,

admittedits;since it will be seen, that, in several respects,

characters are quite intermediate between those of theand Pontopliilus. Thus the shell, insteadof

Crangontypes
of being armed with a double series of lateral and threerows of dorsal spines, as

inthe latter, is 3-spinous only,

just as in the common shrimp ;while the terminal joint of

the foot-jaws is scarcely longer than the penultimate joint,

and

is

broad, flat, and obtuse.

The central piece of thetail is also much longer than in Pontopliilus spinosus.

Stillthe minute size of the second pair of legs corresponds with

PontopUlus ;whenceit will,perhaps, bemore advisablegenus Crangon into two sections first,
and (bird legs of equal length, the common
secondthewithto divide the

:

those

267

THREE-SPINED SHRIMP.

shrimp;much

and, secondly, those with the second leg

shorter than the third, the PontopMli of Dr.

Leach

:

and

even in the former group, the comparatively delicate andthus
imperfect structure of the second pair is very evident;

proving, inthea natural point of view, the generic identity of

two groups.

265.

1 '1

-Mag. of Nat. Hist. vol. viii. pp. 261,

268

CBANGONID^E.

DECAPODA.

CRANGONIDM.

MACROURA.

TWO-SPINED SHRIMP.
Crangon bispinosus.
WESTWOOD.

PontopMus bispinosiis,

HAILSTONE, Mag. Nat. Hist. VIII. pp. 11, 13, f. 30.

,,

THE imperfectdescription andgiven by Mr. Hailstone, prevent

figureof thisspecies,

my coming to any very

decided opinion as to the distinctness of its specific characIt has, certainly, some points

ter.

sculptus, but

itisof resemblance to C.

much smaller, if Mr. Hailstone's linear

admeasurement be that of an adult and there is no inThe followdication of any sculpture on the abdomen.
;

ing is"Mr Hailstone's description:

Pedipalps with the last joint rather longer than thepreceding one, and bluntish

at its termination.

of legs compressed, didactyle, with the

thumb very shortsecond pair rather shorter than the first, didactylethejoint half the length ofFirst pair:

; the last

preceding one, which

is

com-

TWO-SPINED SHRIMP.

269

third pair very slender, as long as the first pair,with a simple claw
fourth pair and fifth pair of equal
length, rather longer than the third, and somewhat thickerpressed::but slender;claws simple.

Thorax, with two prominent

dorsal spines, one considerably behind the other,and oneach side a row of blunt notches.

A spine at the outeredge of the external plates of thetail."

Hist., vol.

viii. p.

Mr. HailstoneMag. of Nat.

273.
states, in his

MS. notes, with which hefavoured me some time before his lamented death, that one

specimen only of this species had come into his possession,
which he found at Hastings in a mass of FUipora filigrana.

DECAPODA.

ALPHMADM.

MACROURA.

GENUS ALPHEUS.
AST AC us,

FABR.

Fabr.

PAL/EMON,Oliv.

CRYPTOTHALMUS,

Raffin.

ASPHALIUS,

Roux.

ALPHEUS,

Fabr., Latr., Leach, Edw.

Generic Character.

External antennce placed beneath, andthe outer side of the inner ; the lamellar

times slender and pointed.

topalp of moderate size, some-Internal antennce terminating in two

filaments, of which the superior is rather thicker than the inferior ;the basal articulation short, and furnished with aspiniform scale.

External pedipalps moreorless slenderjoint broad,and somewhat foliaceous.

tyle, robust,one

formed:much larger than the other, and very differently

second pair also

articulate:

and elongated; terminalFirst pair of legs didac-

didactyle, very slender ; the carpus multi-

the remaining pairs

slender, monodactyle.
Carapace
extending forwards so as to form an arched covering to the eyes.

Nostrum small or wanting.

Abdomen long, and much developed.

OF this genus, which is chiefly confined to hot climates,
one species only has been found in Britain, andfirst

described.

is

now

271

GENUS ALPHEUS.

ALP'HE'AD JE.

DECAPOD A.
MACROURA,

Alpheus ruber.

Edwards.

Enw. Hist. Crust. II. p. 351.

Alpheus ruler,
Specific character.

Rostrum very small. External antennae without a project-

ing spine at the base.

Arms with a small spine on the upper edge, at a short
Larger hand with four carins, two on the upperdistance from the extremity.
surface, and two on the

THIS

is

the

outer ; the moveable finger shorter than the other.

first

instance

occurring on our coast.

of any species of Alpheus

The only two specimens hitherto

found were obtained by Mr. Cocks of Falmouth, whoof cod fish.
They areprocured them from the stomachs

much damaged by this circumstance, but
enough remains for me to recognise, with scarcely a doubt,

unfortunately

its identitywith Alpheus ruber of Edwards.

specimens is so much injured, that
it is impossible to ascertain whether a rostrum existed
or not, but the Mediterranean species is stated to possess

The carapace

in thea small pointed one.

The arched processes which always

andprotect the eyes in this genus,
which form good

specific

the peculiarities ofcharacters, are also destroyed.

272

The general form of the body is slender.

The externalantennae have no spiniform palp at the base, which is alsoa character of A. ruber.
The internal antennae have thegeneral characters of the genus, but the specific distinctions

The anterior feet are in tolera-of this part are deficient.

The arm in both is about three times as

ble preservation.

spine,and on the upper surface is a small
situated about one-third from the extremity
the

wrist

is

long as it

left

broad

is

;

:

The larger hand, which is onvery short.
short, theside, issides nearly parallel, flattened, theupper margin with two carinse

two

the

;

the outer side also withcarinse, the inner surface rounded ; the immoveablemuch curved towards the point, which is acutefingeristhere

is a distinct and deep depression about the middle
grasping edge, for the reception of a strong tubercle

of itsof the moveable finger ;thisother, and becomes broader

outer edge

itsisfingerisalso bicarinatedcurved, and there

above
is

shorter than the

towards the extremity, whereThe

acutely carinated.

is

:

the

:

fingers

smaller hand

are

and

slenderthus a considerable space between

them excepting at the points
their inner margins arefeet
are filiform, minutelyTheofsecondhairy.
pair;

didactyle ;the carpus

long

The

and multi-articulate.

remaining feet are slender and monodactyle.

Such are the characters afforded by the mutilated specimens before
as

it

is,

me

;

and

I

trust the description, imperfect

may be sufficient to enable some more fortunate

observer to compare other andanddetermine with

this

with thereferred it.

greater

Mediterranean

moreperfect

precision
speciesthetospecimens,
identity

which

I

of

have

DECA POD A

ALPHEADM.

.

MACROURA.

GENUS NIK A.
PROCESSA.

Leach, Latr.

NIKA.

Risso, Roux, Edwards.

Generic Character.
body, withouter side;

natinginRisso.

External antennce

much

the basal scale terminating in a
the inner margin hairy.

twofilaments, thelonger than the

single tooth at theInternal antenna termi-

External

inner one the longer.

thesecond very

pedipalps pediform, with four exserted joints,
First pair of legs dissimilar ;long, the terminal one pointed.
that on the right side didactyle,that on the left monodactyle:second pair more slender, very long, filiform, of unequal length;arm and wrist multi-articulate, the hand minutely didactyle:thethe remaining pairs very long, filiform, and monodactyle.

Cara-smooth, having a small, simple, comAbdomen a little bent at the third segment ;pace somewhat elongate,pressed rostrum.

theexternal

laminae of thetailtransversely divided near theextremity.

OF this interesting genus the only known specimen fora long time was a small one on which Leach founded hison thegenus Processa, and which was found by Montagu
a
short
of
Devon.
southern coast
Risso, however, had,time before Leach's publication, given to the genus thename of NiJca, of which Leach was not aware at the time.
Risso's name must, therefore, be retained, on the ground ofpriority of publication.

The remarkable peculiarity by which this genus is disof crustacean, is the distinguished from every other form
T

GENUS NIKA.

27-i

similar character of the anterior feet, one being didactyle,and the other monodactyle.

In every other instance, how-ever the feet forming a pairmay differ in length, in size,

or in structure, they agree in the character of the terminal
portion, and are always
tyle ;

butin thisboth monodactyle or both didac-

genus oneisinvariably and distinctly

didactyle, while the other is as distinctly monodactyle.

There are probably several species of this genus in the
Mediterranean, and I have in my possession two very distinct species

edlyfound on our coast, one of which is undoubt-

Nika edulis of Risso, and the other an entirely new

species.

275

NIK A RDULTS.

ALPHEA DM,

DECAPODA.
AfACliOURA.

NiJca edulis.
Sjxcific Character.

Risso.

Didactyle hand longer than the wrist;

both straight.

Cen-tral plate of the tail longitudinally channelled.

Nika edulis,Hist. Nat. deRisso, Crust, de Nice, p. 85 t. iii. f. 3.
TEur. Merid. V. p. 72.
Roux, Crust, de la Medit.
,t.

LAM. Hist, des Anim. sans Vert. V. p. 203.
DESMAR. Consider, sur les Crust, p. 230. EDW.

xlv.

Hist, des Crust. II. p. 364.

Processa canaliculata,
edulis,Nika canaliculata.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. xli.
LATR. Reg. Anim. de Cuv. (ed. 2nd) IV. p. 95.

DESMAR Consid. sur les Crust, t. xxxix.

f.

4.

THE whole of the carapace and abdomen of this species
the carapace evenly rounded, someeven and glabrouswhat compressed, terminating in a short, pointed, slightly

is;carinated rostrum ; a short acute point above the outeredge of the orbit. Plate of the external antennae of almost
obliquely truncated at
equal breadth throughout its length;

T 2

ALPHEADJS.

276

Peduncle ofthe extremity ; ciliated on the outer margin.
theinternal

antennae cylindrical ;much longer than the external.

theinternal

filament

External pedipalps, withthe last joint but two equalling in length the terminal

andDidactyle foot of the first
penultimate joints together.
the other; the hand and wrist
thanthickerratherpair:

straight

the monodactyle foot terminating in a very small

Of the second pair, the right isslightly curved finger.
much longer than the left. The fourth pair longer than
the third andabdomenisfifth,

theevenly rounded,tinuous with the carapace.

channelled throughout

shortest.

The

somewhat compressed,con-latter being

its

the

The middle plate of the taillength, andarmed with minutespines.

Length two inches to two inches and a half.

The colour of this beautiful species is described by Risso
and Roux as of a flesh-red, more or less dotted withifyellow and white, and marked along the back with spots
The body is said to be so transparentof these colours.
that the viscera may be seen through the integument.

femaleisThestated by Roux to be found, at different periods ofthe year, bearing eggs of a yellowish-green colour, which
are deposited on algee and fuci.

The same author states that this species constitutes anordinary article of food on
ranean.

It

lives

in

all

the coasts of the Mediter-

shoals with various

species of thegenera Palamon, Hippolyte, Alplwus, &c.
After the most careful examination I have been able toinstitute,Ihave come to the conclusion that the Nlka

edulis of Risso and those who follow him, and the Processa

canaliculata of Leach, are identical.
the rarest of our British species.

It is certainly one of

A small specimen was

obtained by Montagu at Toreros*, on the southern coast of

NIKA EDULIS.

277

Devon, and sent by him to Dr. Leach, who founded thereon his genus Processa, and figured it in his great work.
This specimen is still in the British Museum.
Thatfrom which

andabove description are
given was accidentally found by myself in a dish of boiled

myfiguretheprawns, on which I was about to breakfast, at Bognor, inthe year 1842.
Mr. W. Thompson states that there are
specimensin the collection

by Mr. Vaughan Thompson.

made in the south of Ireland

ALPHEAD^E.

278

ALPHEADM.

DECAPOD A.
MACROURA.

Nika Couchii.
S-pcciJic

Character.

Mihi.

Didactyle hand shorter than the wrist the former slightly,
Middle plate of the tail attenuated towards;

the latter more considerably curved.

the extremity, not furrowed.

THE distinctive characters of this new andspecies

are,

with

the

mostly comparative.
otherportiontoits

extendsalittleexceptionof thoseinteresting-given ahove,

The whole animal is longer in prodimensions.

The

carapace,backwards over thefurtherwhichposteriorsegment at its junction with the abdomen, isandmore slender the plates of the external anlonger
tennoe are longer, and rather tapering towards the extrethoracic

;

mity.

The legs generally are altogether longer and more

slender ; the didactyle hand and wrist of the first pair are,however,

shorter,and both, but particularly thewrist,

NIKA COUCHII.
curved.

The fifth pair of legs are quite as long, or a little

longer than the third and fourth.

more

279

slender,

and thelateralThe abdomen is notably

processes of the segments

extend more obliquely backwards

the sixth segment is
and
the
or
middle plate of theseventh,nearly cylindrical,
tail longer and;much narrower, the terminal half being conhas no distinct

siderably attenuated ; the upper surface

furrow, as in N. eduUs, and thereon each side a smallisspine, about the middle of its length, at the point where it

The lateral plates of the tail partake

becomes narrower.

of the general tendency to attenuation, which so remark-ably characterises the form of the species.

Length nearly three inches.

One specimen only of thisspecies has come undermynotice, and for this I am indebted to Mr. Couch, who sentit

to me about five or six years since.

coast of Cornwall.

I

It was taken on thehave much pleasure in dedicating so

interesting a species to a naturalist who has not only donemuch for the local Fauna of his own district, but whose
observations on the habits and physiology of many forms ofmarine animals are peculiarly valuablefor their truthful-ness and originality.

That it is quite distinct from N. edulis, the description I
have given above

sufficiently proves

:

and

it

is

equally sofrom any of those, whether varieties or species, named by
Risso in his " Crustaces des Environs de Nice."The
given by this author are, unfortunately, so
andthevague,
figures in the work just named so bad, thatcharacters

itisfrequently impossible to arrive at

any tolerable cer-tainty as to the identity of the species described by him, or
to ascertain whether the distinctions be specific or not.

DECA PODA

A LPHEAD JR.

.

MACROVHA.

GENUS ATHANAS.

LEACH.

A STAC us.

Montagu.

PAL^EMON.

Leach.

ATHANAS.

Leach, Latr., Roux, Edw.

Generic Character,antenna not longer than theExternal

body; the scale oval ; unidentate on the outer side at the apex.
Internal antennae, with three filaments, one shorter and thicker

than the others.

External pedipalps short and slender.

pair of feet thelargest,small, filiform ;the wrist

minutely didactyle:unequal,long

didactyle : secondand multi-articulate

the remaining pairs simple.

minating in a simple rostrum.

;

First

pair very

the

hand

Carapace ter-

Abdomen even ; the external platesof the tail transversly divided.

OF this genus one species only is known.

It possesses

the peculiarity which is found most strongly marked in the
Astacidse, the transverse division of the external lamina of

the tail ; a character which also obtains in a less marked

degree in Nika, and some other genera of the ALPHEAD^E.
It

differsfromallothers of the family in having threefilaments to the internal antennae, and from the PAL^EMONID^E

in theracters.

simple form of the rostrum and other cha-

281

ATIIANAS NITESCENS.

ALPHEADM.

DECAPODA.
MACROURA.

Athanas nitescens.
" Canocr

MONTAGU, MSS."(Astacus) nitescens,

LEACH.

PalcemonLEACH, Edin. Encycl. VII. p. 401.

Atltanus

Id., p.

432.

Trans. Lin. Soc. XI.

Encyc. Brit. Suppl. I.
xliv.

p.

421.

p.

349.

Mai. Brit. t.

EDW. Hist, des Crust. II. p. 366.

THE carapace in this remarkable little creature is verysmooth, narrowed anteriorly ; the rostrum about half its
in a ridge,
perfectly
length, and not extending backwards
simple and pointed.

The external antennse have a cylindri-cal peduncle about as long as the scale ; the latter is nearlyoval, hairy on the inner
littleand anterior margin, and with atooth on the anterior and outer angle.

The internalantennae have a thick rounded peduncle, terminating inmuch morethan one-third the length of the longest, and much thicker.
three filaments, the shortest of which

The first pair of legs is

large

is

not

and robust in proportion to

the size of the animal, and the hand is particularly sosecond pair

is

:

the

very slender ; the wrist formed of several

joints ; the hand very minute and didactyle.

The remain-

282

ALPHEADA;.

ing pairs are slender and simple.

The abdomen is evenly

The outer plate of the tail trans-

rounded and smooth.

In itsversely divided about one-third from the extremity.

general aspect it resembles a very young Astacus.
The length of Dr. Leach's specimens is rather more thanhalf an inch.

Colour light buff ?

The discovery of this species is due to Montagu, who
sent it to Dr. Leach, under the name of" Cancer(Astacus)

The latter author states that "it is occasion-nitescens?

by the tide amongst the rocks on
It cannot, however,the coasts of Devon and Corn wall."ally found in pools leftbe otherwise than rare in that locality, as Mr. Couch does
not introduce it in his " Cornish Fauna." Mr .W.

Thomp-

son thus records its occurrence on the Irish coast:"A

specimen was found under a stone, between tidemarks, at Lahinch, county Clare, by Mr. E. Forbes andsinglemyself, in July, 1 840." These are the only authentic noticesof its existence on the British islands that I am acquainted

Dr.

with.

Milne-Edwards mentions

its

inhabiting thecoast of France, but gives no particulars.

The following figure represents one of a series of specimens

inthe British

Museum collection, from PlymouthSound, remarkable for the large
right hand side of the body.

size of the first leg on theDECAPODA.

PAL.EMONJDJE.

MACRUURA,

GENUS HIPPOLYTE.

Generic
internal ;CANCER.

0. Fabr.

PAL/EMON.

Olivier.

ALPHEUS.
HIPPOLYTE.

Lamarck, Risso, Sabine.

External antenna

Character.

the

scale

Leach, Desmar., Roux, Edw.

externally unidentate.

terminating in two filaments

and excavated beneath:beneathplacedthe superior thick, strongly ciliated,

the inferior slender and setaceous.

;theInternal antenna

ternal pedipalps slender and pediform.

Ex-First pair of feet short,equal, didactyle : second pair long, unequal, minutely didactyle ;the wrist many-jointed:

remaining pairs simple.

Carapace fur-nished with a deep rostrum, the carina of which extends overa considerable portion of the medianmenabruptly bent downwards

line of the carapace.

at the thirdAbdo-

segment, whichisgibbous, and produced posteriorly.

OF this genus, which was firstestablishedby Leach,

species inhabiting our coast.
They
may be at once distinguished from all other Paleemonidte

thereby theareseveralpeculiar character of one filament of the internalantennae, which is broadface.

and excavated in its inferior sur-

The rostrum is very deep in most species, and thewrist multi-articulate in all.

The abrupt curvature of theabdomen varies considerably in the different species.

284

I'AL/EMONID.K.

DEC A PODA.

PALiEMONlD.K.

1

MACROURA.

SOWERBY'S HIPPOLYTE.
Hippolyte spinus.
Specific Character.

Rostrum anteriorly truncate, extending backwards nearly

to the posterior margin of the carapace, deep, many-toothed above; the teeth, on

the portion situated on the carapace, which are three or four, larger than those on
the exserted portion.

Tooth of thescale of the external antennae

terminal ;broad filament of the internal antennae bent upwards at right angles to thepeduncle.

Cancer spinus,

So WERE. Brit. Misc. t. xxi.

Alplieus

LEACH, Edinb. Encyc. VII. 431. Trans, of Lin. Soc.
XI. p. 347. Encyc. Brit. Supp. I. 421.

Hippolyte Sowcrlxti,

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. xxxix.
Crust, p. 223, t. xxxix. f. 1.

DESMAR. Consid. sur les
EDW. Hist, des Crust.

II. p. 380.

THE carapace in this species is furnished with a strong
and deep rostrum, the ridge of which rises almost at theposterior edge, and has about four strong and large teethon that portion which belongs to the carapace, and several
smaller ones on the exserted portion, which decrease insize towards theapex; the exserted portion

terminating in a sharp tooth ;isvery deep,
the inferior edge with two

285

SOWEKBY'S HIPPOLYTE.

which the anterior

teeth, ofalmost as forward as theisapex, from which it is separated by a

There are also

minutely toothed.

broad notch, which is

two teeth above eachTheand others on the margin of the carapace.

orbit,

scale of the external antennae extends beyond the rostrum,and has a strong tooth on the anterior and outer margin.
Terminal filaments of the internal antennae very short, thethicker one bent abruptly upwards at right angles to its
Anterior feet not extending beyond the scaleof the external antennae ; the hands robust and rounded.
peduncle.

The second

longer than the third, with the wrist

pair

The abdo-

divided into about six distinct articulations.

men

is

very gibbous, the third

carinated,the carina

segment being strongly

terminating inastrongposteriorstanding over the middle of the fourth segment.
Middle scale of the tail with four pairs of small spines

tooth,

above.

Length about one inch and a half.
Ihave thoughtitright to restore

thespecific

namegiven by Mr. Sowerby to this remarkable species, which
Leach adopted on no less than three occasions, and after-wards altered without any

sufficientreason.

largest of our British species of Hippolyte.
sively a northern

Milne-Edwards,

Mr. Sowerby
on thefirst

Scottish

was obtained

in

It

is

the

It is

exclu-

species, being found, according

to Dr.

seas ofthedescribed

coast

:

it

the oneIceland and Greenland.

from a specimen found
figured by Dr. Leach

I
Newhaven, in the Frith of Forth.
and perfect specimens, which were kindlyathave twofine

given tome by Mr. M c Andrew, who procured them bydredging
notyetcoast.

It isdeep water off the Isle of Man.
been
recorded as having
taken on the Irish
in

286

PALMMONID.V.

DECAPOD A.
MACROURA.

VARYING HIPPOLYTE.
Hippolyte varians.

Leach.

Rostrum straight, acuminate above, with a spine near theSpecific Character.

Antencarina.
base, and another at the apex ; beneath with a sharp two-toothed
nal scale with the external tooth one-third from the extremity ; internal antennae
with the thick filament only slightly curved.
Hippolyte variant,

LEACH, Edinb. Encycl. VIII. p. 432.

Trans. Lin. Soc. XI.

Malac. Brit.
421.
Encyc. Brit. Supp. I. p.
p.
EDW. Hist. Crust. II. p. 371.
xxxviii.f. 6-16.
347.

t.

THE carapace is less gibbous in this than in most othernow
although more so than H. pandaliformis,
it is terminated by a straight and elondescribed

species,
first;side a tooth neargated rostrum, which has on its upper
beneaththe base, and a very small one near the apex;

there is a short carina, which has two teeth:

there is also asmall tooth on each side of the base of the rostrum, just overthe inner edge of the orbit.
is large,

and atooth is placed

The scale of the external antenna;

external
longer than the rostrum ; its
fromthe
one-thirdof
about
at the distancelittleVARYING HIPPOI.YTE.

The thicker filament of the internal antennae

extremity.
is287

of moderate size, andisbut slightly curved, instead ofbeing abruptly bent at right angles, as in H. spinus andsome other species. The external pedipalps are of moderate length ; the terminal joint short, flattened, rounded,

and furnished with minute

hairy,

spines

on

inner

its

The first pair of feet very short, rather thickmargin.

;the second pair shorter than the third, and the wrist withAbdomen less gib-not more than three or four joints.

bous than in some species, as H. Spinus and H. Cranchii.

Middle plate of the tail with two pairs of small spines.

Length about three-quarters of an inch.

The usual colour is a beautiful clear green;

but, as Dr.

" it isvery variable in colour, occurring withevery shade of green, and of every tint between reddish

Leach states,

and liver-brown."
This is the most abundant of all our species of Hippolyte,though
" It

is

not

the

most

extensively distributed.
" infound," says Dr. Leach,profusion in pools

probably

amongst the rocks on the south-western coast of Devonand Cornwall." It is common all along that coast, and as
far as Poole

Harbourin Dorsetshire ;and, althoughitisnot mentioned by Mr. Couch in his Cornish Fauna, I havefrom that gentleman from Polhas been found extensively round the Irish

received specimens ofperro.

It

coast.

Mr.

it

W. Thompson

says,

" It

has

been

taken

commonly by Mr. Hyndman and myself in the rock pools
accessible at low-water throughout the Down coast, andhas been dredged hy us in deep water on the north-east

andin Killery Bay, Connemara.
Mr. R. Ball has
from
the
about
Dublin."shoresspecimens

coast,

It isa beautiful and elegant species, but loses

green colour soon after death.

its

lovely288

DECA PODA.

PALJEMONIDJE.

MACROURA.

CRANCffS HIPPOLYTE.
Leach.

Ilippolyte Cranchii.
diameter.

Specific

above, theRostrumshort, incurved at thebase, with three teeth

apex emarginate, bidentate, the upper tooth the longer;

beneathunarmed.
Ilippolyte Cranchii,

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. xxxviii. f. 17-21.
Crust. II. p. 37G.

THE carapace is short and rounded
raised,andsomewhatabruptly

EDW. Hist.

COUCH, Corn. Faun.

;

the rostrum short,incurved at

the

base,

where it is broad, and armed with three conspicuous teeth
the apicalportion straight,bifid

at the;extremity, thelower tooth shorter than the upper; the inferior edge isshort, and without any tooth; there is no tooth above theorbit.

The scale of the external antenna? extends to morethan half the length of the filaments of the internal, and289

CBANCH'S HIPPOLYTE.
tlie

marginal toothisterminal.

extending forwards alittlewithInternal antenna:

Anterior feetthe thicker filament very slightly curved.

beyond the antennal

scale;

second pair with the wrist long, and formed of six articuThe junction of the thorax and abdomen islations.

very gibbous, the process on the posterior margin of thesegment rounded, and but little prominent. The
middle portion of the tail has four pairs of extremely
third

minute teeth, so small as to be discerned with difficulty.

Length about three-quarters of an inch.
This little species, which is about the size of A. varians,

may be at once distinguished from it by the thicker thorax,
the more gibbous abdomen, the strong line of demarcation
between those two parts, and especially by the form of thea widely extended species, and in some
It was taken first by Mr. Cranch, andparts abundant.
afterwards by Mr. Prideaux, in the Kingsbridge estuary ;rostrum.

Itis

it is also admitted into

Mr. Couch's Cornish Fauna.

I

have

received it from Torbay, and from Salcombe Bay, throughthekindness of Mrs. Griffiths and

Mr. Alder:

it

was

dredged at Poole by my relative, Mr. Henry Salter; andI have specimens taken by Professor Forbes and Mr.

M 'Andrew in Loch Fyne.

Mr. Wm. Thompson givesitas an Irish species, only on the authority of a specimen in

the collection of Mr. VaughanThompson

:

it

is

exceed-be again found on
ingly probable, however, that it willa range on
it
has
so
extensiveasthe coasts of Ireland,
those of England and Scotland.

u

290

DECA PODA.

PALjEMONIDJL.

MACROURA.

THOMPSON'S HIPPOLYTE.
Hlppolyte Thompsons.
Specific

Rostrum

Ct/aracter.

Milii.

straight, deep, acute, continuouswith a slightwhich extends from near the posterior margin of the carapace furnishedabove with eight teeth, of which four, more distant than the others, are situatedcarina,;on the carapace;

beneath, with three minute teeth near the apex.

THE carapace is of moderate length, the surface slightly
scabrous:a carina commences at about two-thirds back-wards, and extends forwards to form the upper portion of
the rostrum, which, with the carina, is furnished with eight
teeth, directed forwards, ofwhich four are situated on the

carapace, and are more distant from each other than thoseon the rostrum

itself;the inferior portion of the rostrum

has three minute teeth placed towards the apex, which isacute and simple.

The scale of the external antennse ex-tends to more than half the length of the internal, and thelatter havethe filaments slightly curved downwards, andmoderately thick.

The anterior pair of feet are of moderate

291

THOMPSON'S HIPPOLYTE.

which
length ; the hand thicker than the wrist,
short,and has but few

articulations.

israther

The abdomen

remarkably gibbous, and the anterior segmentsisare veryslightly scabrous at the sides.

Length nearly an inch.

Of this new species of H'ippolyte I have seen but one
a female loaded with extruded ova, which

specimen,received from myIfriend Mr. W. Thompson of Belfast, theacute and successful investigator of the zoological treasuresof histheown country, by whose labours our knowledge ofnatural history of that part of the United

has been so much enriched, and to whose namethespecies.

specimensofKingdom
dedicateIIt

was obtained by that gentleman, withff.

Cmnchii,

on the north-west coastof

Ireland.
It differsfrom If. pandaliformis in the form of the ros-trum, which is shorter, and toothed throughout
length, as well as in its general figure,

its

whole

which in the present

normal aspect of the genus, andspecies has more of theless resemblance to themore typical Palamonida.

From

H. Cranchii it differs in the longer, straighter, and more
toothed rostrum, and in the less gibbous form of the thorax
and of the abdomen.

With no other species could it beconfounded, even at the first glance.

u-2PAL^MONID.E.

292

DECAPOD A

PA LMMONIDsE..

.

MACROURA.

PRIDEAUX'S HIPPOLYTE.
Leach.

Hippolyte Prideauxiana.
Sjiecific

Character.

Rostrum quite straight, acuminate, above unarmed, beneathwith one or two teeth on the anterior portion.

LEACH, Mai. Brit. t. xxviii. f. 1

Hippolyte Prideaumana,,,.

3, 4, 5.

EDW. Hist. des. Crust. II. p. 372.

rar.,

.,

LEACH, 1. c. f. 2

Moorii,

ED\V. 1. c.

THIS little species very much resembles H. varians it
differs from that species, however, in the form of the ros,trum, which is of more equal breadth throughout the prinin the absence of any tooth on
cipal part of its length,
its

upper side and of the deep carina on the lower.
have thought it right to include the animals definedI

by Dr. Leach under the abovecies,

sufficient

specific names, as one spe-any distinctive characters ofI have,importance to warrant their separation.

being unable

therefore, taken

having the

to

find

Prideauxiana as the normal form, and aspriorityinnomenclature;and have given

293PRIDEAUX'S HIPPOLYTE.

Moorii merely as a variety a view which Dr. Edwards
had already taken in his " History of Crustacea," althoughremains to be proved which of the two forms ofrostrum is, on account of the comparative frequency of
it

still

occurrence, to he considered as normal.

The wrist of the second pair of legs has only two shortand one long articulation the abdomen is remarkably bent;

at the third segment.

The whole animal is smaller than

H. varians, and of a reddish brown colour.
This is certainly a very rare species, and is not mentionedinMr. Thompson's

by Mr. Couch.

I

Fauna, nor in that of Cornwall
have received it, however, from theIrishneighbouring coast of Devonshire.

The vignette below appears to be a representation of theCommon Shrimp (Grant/on vulgaris), and was taken froma tesselated pavement discovered at Cirencester(Vetust.

Man. vol. ii.)

in

1783.

294

DECA POD A.

PALMMONIDJE.

MACROURA.

Mihi.

Hippolyte pandaliformis.
Character.

Rostrum extending beyond the scale of the antenna;, nearlystraight, slightly turned upwards, with seven teeth on the upper and three on the
k>\ver edge ; thicker filament of the internal antennae moderately curved.

THEslightcarapace in this species is evenly rounded, with acarina on theanterior third, passing into the ros-trum, which is nearly straight, but a little turned upwards

towards the extremity, and extending beyond the antennal scale
it is furnished above with seven acute teeth,;of which three are on the carina of the carapace,theremainder on the free portion

similar teeth,

beneath arethree

and the apex is bifid, the upper point pro-jecting beyond the lower.

as in

;

and

The eyes are remarkably large,

Pandalus annulicornis.

The external antennae havethe long filament longer than the body ; the scale is rather

narrow, particularly anteriorly, with long cilia on the outeredge, andexternally a small tooth near theextremity.

The thick filament of the internal antennse is of moderateHIPPOLYTE PANDALIFORMIS.
size

and

the anterior pair of feet about two-thirds;

the length of the secondthethe external pedipalps slenderslightly curved ;and pediform

2,95

third joint about;

the wrist of the latter six-jointed,
the length

twiceof eachof the

The abdo-

others ; the remaining legs long and slender.

men is more slender than in any other species of Hippolytewith whichI

am acquainted;

the terminal joint narrow

and acutely pointed.
Total length an inch and a half.

The resemblance of this species to Pandalus annulicornis
a specific name inaccordance with that relation, in order to record its pro-isso remarkable, that I have givenitbable situation as leading from the normal forms of thegenus towards Pandalus.
regardsits

own genus.

It

The

is

strikingly

abnormalgeneral slenderness

asof thewhole body, the even form of the carapace, the length andform of the rostrum, the length of the legs and antennae,
all exhibit a marked tendency in the direction alluded to.
It is,

however, in

all

its

essential characters, a true Hip-

polyte.

This constitutes another interesting addition to our native
Crustacea, which we owe to the labours of Mr. M'Andrew

and Professor Forbes, by whom it was dredged in LochFyne, at a depth of about twenty fathoms.
I have two specimens, for which I am indebted to thosegentlemen,

and

this

is

the onlyoccurrence has been recorded.

instance in

which

its

DECAPOD A

I'.

A LMMONIDM.

UACROURA.

GENUS PANDA LUS, LEACH.
ASTACUS.

Fabr.

PAL^MON.

Risso.

PONTOPHILUS.

Id.

PANDALUS.

Leach, Latr., Edw.

Generic character.

External antenna longer than the body, theantennal scale unidentate on the outer margin.

Internal antennae

with two filaments, the external one thicker; basal joint of theExternal
peduncle hollowed above for the lodgment of the eyes.
pedipalps slender, pediform. First pair of feet slender, shorter
than the others the terminal joint styliform, simple ; second pair;filiform,

didactyle, unequal ;one much longer and more slenderthan the other, both with the wrist and arm multiarticulate; third,
fourth,length.

and fifth pairsof feet,slender,slightly diminishingin

Carapace armed with a long rostrum, the carina of which

extends half

way to the posterior marginof the carapace,rostrum curved upwards, and denticulate above and below.

the

Abdo-

men with the third joint gibbous, the upper and posterior margin
produced backwards.

HAVE always consideredgenus as affording a distinct passage from the genus Hippolyte to Palcemon ; a viewI

thisof its relations, which has received an important confirmationinthe discovery of theconsidered astheH. pandalifonnis, which may be

osculant

species onthat side.

Like

Hippolyte it has but two filaments to the internal antennae
and the carpus multi-articulate ; so that, in fact, it resembles thatgenus in its essential characters even more nearly

than Palamon.

297

t'ANDULUS ANNULICORNIS.

PALMMONIDM.

DECA PODA.
M.ICROVRA.

Pandalus annulicornis.
Specific Character.

Leach.

Rostrum the length of the carapace;

anterior half without

teeth above, excepting a small one close to the apex.

Pandalus annulicornis.

LEACH, Malac. Brit. t. xl. LATR. Encycl.Meth.
LAM. Anim. sans vert. V. p. 203. Emv. Hist, desCrust. II. p. 384.

THE carapace of Pandalus annulicornis resembles strongly
that of the genus Palcemon. The rostrum, as in that genus,
isvery long ;extremity

;

it is

considerably turned upwards towards its

the carina commences about half-way towards

the posterior margin of the carapace, and it is finely toothedto nearly half of the free portion of the rostrum, the re-mainder being without teeth above, excepting a minute one
just above the apex ; beneath,

The eyesitare remarkably large.

has

five distinct

The

external

teeth.

antemue2.98

have very long filaments, which are marked with alternate
rings of dark and light colour through their whole length ;the base cylindrical, and the scale diminishing in breadth
forwards, with a small tooth on the exterior margin at the

The internal antennae have but two filaments,

extremity.

the external of which is the thicker ; the base is hollowed
to receive

the eyes, and there is, at the anterior margin of

this excavation, a fringe of hairs,

part of the eyes, and affords

which covers the inferior

themprotection.

The ex-ternal pedipalps have the basal joint hollowed above theterminal joint, furnished with stiff hairs and small spines.

The

anterior feet are simple,

slightly

curved, the basal

joint cylindrical, the remainder styliform, and acute at the

The second pair of feet are of very unequaltermination.

length andsize ;

wrist andarm multi-articulate,minute;one being very slender, very long, thethe didactyle hand very

the other thicker, shorter, likewise didactyle, andwith the arm and wrist multi-articulate
feet nearly of equal length,

furnished with a;the remaining

and simple ; the terminal joint

row of spines beneath.

The abdomen

resembles that of Hippolyte in the gibbous form of thethird segment ; the centre piece of the tail has three pairsof small teeth on its anterior half.

The usual lengthisfrom two inches to two inches anda half.
It is of a reddish grey colour, curiously dotted and marked

with deeper red.

At first sight this species may be readily mistaken for acommon prawn;

but a closer examination will shew thatits

structural relations areto

Palamon.

much nearer to Hippolyte thanhavefrom the prawn appears toItstruck several persons about the same time.

was

first

Its distinction

discovered,accordingtoDr. Leach,

by

the

299

PANDALUS ANNULICORNIS.
Rev. Dr. Fleming, in Zetland, andScotlandSt.

Andrew's Bay,by Montagu on the coast
Dawsonand by Mrs.
Turner, who noticed it at
was

it

;

in

of Devon ;also observed

Yarmouth, and pointed
as distinct from the" at

Dr. Leach,it

Mr. J. D. C. Sowerby

out tocommon prawn.

Yarmouthas an" It isarticleused," saysof food ;andmuch esteemed for the table, as toafford constant employment during the summer season toisatthat place so

who take it in abundance at a considerfrom the shore, and name it from thatseveral fishermen,

able

distance

1 ''circumstance the sea-shrimp.'
The extent of the range of this species is very remarkDr. Milne Edwards mentions its being an inhabitantable.

We see above that Dr. Fleming obtainedof Iceland.

Zetland;Professor Forbes about the same locality;atand it is foundcommonly on the southern coasts of England.
admitsit

I have specimens taken by Mr. M'Andrew andinto his Cornish

it"

Mr. Couch

Fauna, and gives it the ex"(another proof of its^Esop-shrimp
from PooleI have specimens
affinity to Hippolyte).
Norfolk
coast it is
on
the
and
in
Dorsetshire,
Harbour,namepressiveof"
I have occaprawn."
constantly taken and sold as aLondon markets, where,sionally known it brought to the

however,
species,

is

it

it is

usually

seen of small size.

As an

Irish

stated to occur in Mr. J. Vaughan Thompson's

collection; and Mr. William Thompson adds," It has beentaken commonly by Mr. Hyndman and myself in the rockthe Down coast,pools accessible at low water throughout
and has been dredged by us in deep water on the north-

Mr. R. Ballin Killery Bay, Connemara.
about
Dublin."fromtheshoreshas specimens

east coast,andPALJEMONW.<E.

DECAPODA.
MACROURA.

GENUS PAL/EMON. FABR.
ASTACUS.

Pennant.

PAL^MON.

Fabr., Latr., Lam., Leach, Edw.

External antennce placed beneath, and a

Generic character.
little tothe outer side of the internal ; the lamelliform palp very

rounded and ciliate at the apex and armed withlarge, nearly oval,
Internal ana spine near the extremity of the outer margin.
tennae inserted above the external ; the first joint of the peduncle
thevery large, depressed, excavated on its upper side to receive
two
the
a
side
with
the
outer
on
armed
strong spine ;eyes, andthree setae
following joints large and cylindrical, the last bearing
short
and
curved.
of which two are very long, and the other very

External pedipalps of moderate length, pediform, slender, terminatFirst pair of feet very small anding in a slightly curved nail.
second pair also didactyle, much larger
slender ; hand didactyle:than the former; the remaining pairs simple, monodactyle.
pace of moderateCara-size, broad, terminating in a long, laterally flat-

tened rostrum, which extends usually beyond the peduncles ofEyes large and projecting. Abdomen large, dimion the upper
nishing regularly towards the tail, and rounded
the terminal segment, which forms the middle portion
surfacethe antennae.

;

of

the

tail,

those of theatriangular.
first

Abdominal

false

feet

very

large ;

pair furnished with a large ciliated scale, andmuch smaller one;

the others with two scales, which are also

distinctly ciliated.

ALTHOUGH
moderate

most of the species of

this

genus

are

of

size, there arc some inhabiting the tropical re-gions which may almost rival the larger Astacldcc.

The

301

GENUS PAL/EMON.

Pal/tmon Carcinus, for instance, sometimes reaches to nearlya foot in length, and P. Jamaicensis is nearly as large.
The common prawn, P. sermtus, is the species best known

and most esteemedinour climate ; but a very

examination of all the means within
tablished in

carefulmy reach, has es-

my mind, very satisfactorily, the existence offour distinct British species of Palamon, forming one additional to those before defined.

302

DECAPODA.

PALJEMONIDJE,

MACROURA.

COMMON PRAWN.
Pal&mon serratus.
Character.
Rostrum extending considerably beyond the antennal
turned upwards anteriorly ; bifid at the extremity ; above, armed withseven or eight teeth, the anterior third unarmed
beneath, with five or six
Specific

scale

;

;

teeth.

Astacus serratus,

PENN. Brit. Zool. IV. t. xvi. f. 21?, p. 19.
HEKBST. II. t. xxv. f. 1.
LATH. Gen. Crust. I. p. 54. LEACH, Eclin. Encycl.

Cancer squilla,

Palcemon,,VII. 401.
serratus.

FAISR Supp. p. 604
LEACH, Trans. Linn. Soc. XI.
34!!.
EDW.
Mai. Brit. XXIV. t. xliii. f. 1-10.
Hist. Nat. dcs Crust. II. p. 389.

THE carapace of the common prawn is even, rounded, andfurnished anteriorly with two points, one above and theother beneath the peduncle of the external antennae ; therostrumisof great length, the anterior half ascending ;303

PAL.EMON SERRATUS.

above armed with seven or eight teeth(usually

seven,

confined to the posterior portion, therarely six), which are
anterior third being slender andunarmed;the extremity

beneath armed
bifid, the inferior point being the longer ;The eyes are large
with four or five teeth (usually five).

and round.
rior)

Of the three filaments of the internal (supe-antennae, the shortest scarcely extends tothe ex-than twice
tremity of the rostrum ; the others are more
The external antennae are very long, beingas long.
half as long again as the animal from theextremity of the rostrum

tail

to

the

the scale with the sides nearly;anteriorly and posteriorly obliquely truncate,parallel,the inner edge furnished withalong rhomboid
forming;long hairs.

The

first

pair of feet very slender, ordinarily

bent upon itself; the hand arid fingers together not nearly
as long as the wrist ; the second pair extend forwards tothe end of the rostrum ; the hand rounded, elongate ; thefingers slender,hand

as long as thetogether twice as long as the wrist
slender and simple.

the hand and fingers;;

the remaining pairs

The abdominal false feet very long;

the terminal joint of the abdomen narrowed forwards, with

two long slender terminal teeth, and two pairs of small
teeth on the sides.

Caudal lamina? furnished with long

hairs on the terminal margin.

Ordinary length upwards of four inches.
Colour bright grey, spotted and lined with darker purplish
grey.

This species, which is so well known as a favourite anddelicate article of food, is found in vast numbers on all thecoasts of this island.

It appears from various accounts thatapproaches the shore in its young state, and multitudesof them are taken in shrimp-nets, and sold as shrimps onitsome parts of thecoast.

I

found that at Bognor the

304

PALyRMONTD.E.

fishermen consider them, when young, as a distinct species,

andthat, at certain seasons, they drive the true
fromtheir ordinary place of reLjrt.
The proprawns
bability is that at the season when the young ones haveassertarrived at a certain size, they separate themselves from theolder ones, which at that period of the year retire further

from the shore.

At Poole I have found the young ones ofthis species associated with two other species of Pal&mon,and the three are ordinarily sold there under the name of"cup-shrimps," being measured in small cups, instead of

When ofbeing sold by tale, as they are when larger.
middle size they still retain the name of shrimps at thatplace, and are only called prawns when they acquire larger

dimensions.

In the adult condition they frequent rocky parts of thecoast, delighting in still transparent water, where they may

be seeninnumerous companies,

disporting,inthe most

elegant and beautiful manner, amongst the long fuci whichwave in the tide.

Prawns are sometimes taken in bag-nets, suspended froma circular ring of iron, at the end of a pole ; but in many
parts, the finest are caught in pots, resembling lobster-pots,

but smaller, and made of a closer fabric.

At Eognor I

found that besides the baited pots or traps, each fisherman

had a store-pot, into which he transferred the prawns, when
he went his round of the baited pots, and kept them there
until they were wanted.

They are found with the ovaries filled with spawn, andwith the abdominal false feet loaded with excluded spawn
atallfor theseasons of the year.

They are chiefly obtained
London markets off the Isle of Wight and Hamp-

shire coast ;but they arc

which elapses

much deteriorated by the timeafter their capture, before they cancured in the metropolis.

be pro-305

PAL/EMON SQUILLA.

DECAPOD A.

PALMMONID/E.

MACnoURA.

Squilla.

Fabr.

Rostrum nearly straight ; the apex emarginate ; above with
Specific Character.
seven or eight teeth, of which two are on the carapace, and the third immediately
above the ocular notch ; beneath with three teeth.

Cancer Sqm'Ha,

LINN. Syst. Nat. I. 1051.

A stams

FABR. Ent. Syst. II. p. 485.
FABR. Suppl. Ent. Syst. p. 403. LATR. Hist, desCrust, et des Ins. VI. p. 257.
LEACH, Edinb. Enc.

Paltfmon,,VII. p. 432.

Malac. Brit. t. xliii. f. 11-13.

Hist, des Crust. IV. p. 390.
p. 80.

THIS species

differs

EDW.

COUCH, Corn. Faun.

W. THOMPSON, Crust, of Ireland.

from the formerina few distinct,

but, with one exception, not very tangible characters.

The

whole animal is much smaller, being not more than half thein proportion, andlength ; the first pair of feet are shorter
But it is in the rostrum thatthe second pair less robust.

the principal and most obvious distinctive characters exist.

This part is almost straight, having, however, a very slight
curve upwards towards the extremity ; it has seven or
three on the under ; buteight teeth on the upper side, and

306
the

numberalone,

although ver, constant, scarcely con-stitutes so true and certain a criterion as the fact that of

the upper teeth two are invariably placed on the medianline of the carapace, posterior

to the base of the rostrum,and the third immediately over the margin of the ocular
The upper teeth are very acute, spiniform, andnotch.
directed very much forwards.

Those of the under side arebroader at the base, triangular,slightly falcate.

and the posterior one

The apex of the rostrumisbifid,

theinferior point being the longer.

Of fourteen specimens examined I found thethe upper and under side of the rostrum as follows

had f, fiveis,teeth on:Seven

one If, and one 1, so that the normal number

i or f
The total length, from the rostrum to the tail inclusive,.

of the largest specimens I have examined, was two inches

one line.
This species is pretty widely distributed along ourI have obtained it from Ireland through the kind-coasts.

ness of Colonel Portlock ; and Mr. W. Thompson records
itas common on the shore of Belfast Lough, in rock pools,on theDown coast, as well as in deep water.

He alsomentions having met with it commonly in rock pools about
Ballantrae, Ayrshire.
shire coast, but

It occurs on the

Mr. Couch considers

Cornish and Devon-itrare in the former

county, although Dr. Leach mentions it as very abundant
At Poole, in Dorsetshire, it forms a conin the latter.
"siderable proportion of thecup-shrimps," a name given
there to the young prawns of three different species, which
are sold by measure.

307

PALJEMON LEACriH.

PAL/EMONIDJE.

DECAPODA.
MA CH OUR A.

Palamon Lcackii.
Specific diameter.

three beneath;

Rostrum nearly straight, with five or six teeth above, andone only of the former situated behind the line of the ocularnotch ; apex generally emarginate.

AMONGST the smaller Paleemonidee found in Poole Harbour, to which I have already alluded as being sold there

under the name of " cup-shrimps," there are found a considerable

number which

differmaterially in the form of

the rostrum, as well as in the number of teeth with which
it isfurnished, from either of the species hitherto described.

have thought right to describe it as a distinct species,
which I cannot doubt to be correct.
It differs fromI

P. Squillainthe smaller

number of the teeth

in

the

upper crest of the rostrum, and in the fact that one of thoseteeth only is placed posterior to the ocular notch.

From

P. varians it is more obviously distinct.

Of twenty specimens taken promiscuously, the numberof teeth on the upper and under edges of the rostrum wereas follows:

ten had f, seven

two teeth beneath.
be considered asf,two ^, and one had only

The normal number, therefore, may

|.

x 2

308
It

may perhaps appear, without a careful comparison ofnumerous specimens of both

species,that the charactersabove named are scarcely sufficient to warrant their sebut it happens that an additional distinctive
paration;character obtains invariably, associated with the different

number of the rostral teeth.
speciesis

The rostrum in the present

covered with innumerable reddish dots, which

continue to be very visible from their opacity, even afterallcolour has been removed from long immersion in spirit.

In P. Squilla there are no such coloured dots.
I

have given tothis species thename of my lamented

friend, the distinguished illustrator of British Carcinology,

the late William Elford Leach.

309

PAL.SMON VARIANT.

DECA PODA.

PALMMONIDJE.

MACROURA

Palamon Varians.

Rostram perfectly straight, the apex entire

Specific character.
tosixteeth,

Leach.

beneath with two.

Scale

;

above with four

rounded atof the external antennae

the apex.

Pal&mon

LEACH, Edinb. Enc. VII.
Lin. Soc. XI. p. 349.

variatis,14-1G.

THE

p.

401.

431.

Id. Malac. Brit.

Id.

Trans.

t.

xliii. f.

EDW. Hist, des Crust. IV. p. 391.

absolute restriction to

two teeth on theinferior

rostrum in this species, would distinguish itfrom all other British species of Pal&mon, even without the
crest of the.additional characters of the small number of teeth on the

The whole rostrum is

upper crest, and the entire apex.

perfectly straight, lanceolate, acute at the apex, as long as

the scale of the external antennae ;uppernotch.

crest

one of the teeth on theplaced a little behind the ocularisalways
These teeth are generally fourinnumber, some-times five, very rarely six ; beneath there are never morethan two teeth ; I have seen one specimen in which thereThe

was only one.

anteriorly

rounded,P. serralus.
slightly

external antennae

areof moderatemuch exceeding that of the bodylength, not

tumid

in

which character

The hand of the;anterior

the upper finger hairy.

it;the scalediffers

pair

from

of feetis310

PALJiMONlD.E.

widely distributed, as far as we can
It is,
thaneither of the former ones.
present judge,

This speciesatis less

however, found on the Devonshire and Dorsetshire coast,and onwards as far as that of Norfolk.
not include it in his Cornish Fauna.

few

Mr. Thompson states

specimens have been taken
Strangford Loughs, and I have received

that

a

Mr. Couch does
andin

Belfastit

myself from

Ireland through the kindness of Col. Portlock.

The vignette consists of several variations of the rostrum
inthree species of Palsemon.

are of P. Squilla.
serratus,

The first three on the

The three in the middle belong

and the three on the right to P. Leachii.

left

to P.

DECAPODAPENJEAD&,.

MACROURA.

GENUS
AI.PHKUS.

Kisso.

PASIPH.KA.

Savigny, Risso, Desmar. Latr. Leach, Echv.

Generic character.

External antennae placed beneath thein-ternal ; the basal joint of the peduncle narrower than the succeed-

Internal antcnnce with the peduncle slender, and terminated by two filaments, one of which is considerably longer thaning one.

the other.

External pedipalps very long, slender, and pediform ;furnished at the base with a lamellar ciliated palp.

First and se-cond i^airs of legs didactyle, rather robust, nearly of equal length ;the fingers slender and curved ; third, fourth, and fifth pairs very
slender, monodactyle, the fourth pair the shortest.

Carapace verymuch elongated; compressed, narrowed anteriorly. Abdomen very
long, much compressed ; the fifth segment broad and squared at
the lateral margin ; the sixth very longwedge-shaped

;

;

the

seventh narrow andthe false feet of the first segment with the filaments

rudimentary, the others with two equal.

The history of this remarkable genus has hitherto heen
In the description of oursome obscurity.
species I have given some reasons for believing that as yet
involvedinone species only is known.

312

IMON.KAD.-K

DECAPODA.

//; A'. ! A L >.!:.

MACROURA.

Pasiphtea Sivado, Risso.
Specific character.

External caudal laminae longer than the internal, which

are longer than the middle one.
J!

Risso. Crust, de Nice, t. iii. f. 4. p. 93.

Alphcus Sivado,sid. sur les Crust, p. 240.

DESMAR. Cou-

LATR. Regn. Anim. de Cur.

IV. p. 99.
?

En\v.
Risso, Hist. Nat. de 1'Eur. Mend. V. p. 81.
GUER. Iconog. duHist. Nat. des Crust. V. p. 426.

PasiphceaReg. Anim. (Crust.) t. xxii.
Nat. Hist. V. p. 256.
Savignii,
brevirostris,

LEACH, MSS. in Mus. Brit.
EDW. 1. c. p. 426.

f.

3.

THOMPSON, Ann.

EDW. 1. e. p. 426.

THE general form of this remarkable species distinguishesit

at first sightfrom every other known Crustacean.

The

exceedingly compressed laterally, and thecarapace elongated and somewhat attenuated forwards.
There is scarcely a perceptible rostrum but immediately

whole bodyis;behind the anterior margin of the carapace, is a small
triangular tooth, with the point turned forwards, and asimilar one, but smaller, on each side justabove the origin

of the superioror

PASIPHvEAS1VAUO.

internal

antenna?.

313

The

superior an-

tennae have a cylindrical peduncle, the basal joint of which

hollowed for the lodgement of the eyes ; the filament is
The external or inferior antennse are placed imdouble.

ismediately beneath the former ; the peduncle is cylindrical,
terminating in two filaments, one of which is about as longas

the body, the other extremely short ; the lamina or

narrow-ovate, and ciliated along the inner margin.
The eyes are much larger than their peduncles. The ex-

scale

is

ternal pedi palps are long, slender,

and pediform, each fur-nished with a long palp whichaand about half its length.

islittlethicker thanit

The first pair of feet are rather

more robust than the second, the hand thicker in the middle, the fingers shorter than the hand, and curved at the
points which are acute, and cross each other when closed ;the arm is furnished with a series of short remote teeth ;the second pair are ordinarily rather longer than thefirst,

more slender, the fingers as long as the hand, and furnishedalong their prehensile edge with a dense series of short,The

stiff hairs.

and simple;

third pairisextremely slender,

filiform,the fourth pair, by much the shortest, being

not more than half the length of the fifth, the penultimate
joint furnished on

its inner margin with a brush of stiff
the fifth pair very
andtheterminal
hairs,
joint ciliated;long and slender, the terminal joint ovate, furnished with a
The abdomen is verylash of hairs of twice its length.
long andmuch compressed

and roundedmargin

;

the

;

the
sixth

fifth

;

the

second segment broad

broad and squared at the lateralremarkably long and narrowed;

theseventh or central lamina of the tail very narrow and wedgeshaped.

The external larnime of the tail are longer than

the internal, which are intermediate in length between theformer and the median lamina or seventh abdominal .segment.

314

The abdominal false feet have two equal filaments, with the
exception of the first pair, of which one of the filaments isextremely small or rudimentary.
large and not numerous.

The eggs are remarkably

The colour of the Mediterranean species described by
Risso, and which I believe to be identical with this,is thusby that author: The body is white, slightly iridescent, transparent, banded with red at every articulation
given

;

the eyes black ; the antennas, pedipalps, and feet red, andthe caudal scales dotted with the same colour.

Total length of specimens from the Bristol Channel about
three inches.

have already alluded to the obscurity in which thisgenus has been involved ; and which has arisen, in greatI

measure, from the extremely erroneous figure given by
This
Risso in his " Histoire des Crustaces de Nice," &c.
figure in fact is so bad, that it affords no ground whateverfor

any determination of the species it is indeed much toin a work in which so many interesting:

be regretted thatspecies were first described, the figures are almost universally soimperfect as to afford no specific character which

can be at all depended upon.
Savigny, in his masterly" Memoires sur les Animaux sans
Vertebres," establishes
the genus by name, but without

any description, retaining

Leach, who appears from some other circumstances to have been unacquainted with Risso's earlier work, gives to a specimen in

the specific name of Sivado after Risso.

the British Museum thename of P. Savignii, but he has

as far as I am aware, published any account of it.
Milne Edwards, upon the credit of Risso's figure, has con-not,sidered theBritish ;Mediterranean speciesasdistinct

from

the

and he has added a third species, which he calls

P. brevit'ostris.

I

do not think, however, that the cha-315

PASIPH^iA SIVADO.
racters

by which

thiseminent carcinologist distinguishes

the latter supposed species can he considered as constant, asI have seen British
specimens which vary considerably inthe degree of ciliation in the parts from which he deduces
his distinctions.
It is, finally, very evident that the figure"

Monographic," imperfect and unsatisfactory as it is, and which he refers to P. Sivado, belongsof Guerin in his

to our British species ;rationsinand the result of

my mind, is thefullthese conside-allconviction that

we are atI
present acquainted with but one species of this genus
have therefore retained Risso's original specific name of
It now remains that I should state what is known
Sivado.
:about this species as a native of Britain.

It appears pro-bable, from the following extract of a letter from Dr. Leachto

Mr. Baker of Bridgewater, that the first British speci-

men known was in the collection of Mi*. Sowerby
also appears

;

and

it

from the same passage that Mr. Baker had

himself sent another individual of this species to Dr. Leachwith some other Crustacea and insects.
" I cannot refrain fromtwo

species which give me

noticing

theDr. Leach writes,

The onemost pleasure.

Pasiphaa of Savigny.

I

is a species of the genus
have seen a specimen of this genus

1

in

Mr. Sowerby s collection, and I believe it to be the same

species."taken,

I

Subsequently Mr. Baker obtained several others,
believe,in thethroughhis kindness, inreceived

fromBristol Channel, which aremypossession,now,

and I have lately

Mr. M'Andrew, two individuals, a maleand a female, taken by him

inthe Irish

Channel, thehaving the ova excluded and attached to the abIt would appear by the folio wingdominal false feet.
" Annals of Natural Hisof thein the fifth

latternoticevol.

tory," by Mr.
BritishW. Thompson, that the

specimenintheMuseum was originally taken on the coast of Ire-

316"

Pasiphaa Sivado. In the British Museum there isa specimen so named and labelled Ireland.'
From theland.

'donor, the Rev. James Bulwer, I learned that it was taken

by him in the vicinity of Dublin."
I have, forobvious reasons, dwelt more at large than ina case of less difficulty would have been necessary, on thecharacters as well as the nomenclature of this species.
isIt

now for others, who may have the opportunity, to com-pare

Mediterranean with British specimens,

ascertain whether I

inorder toam right in considering them as allappertaining to one species.

DECA POD A.

PENMAVJE,

MACKOURA.

GENUS PEN^EUS.

FAHE.

PAL.EMON.

Oliv.

PEN.EUS.

Fabr. Bosc. Latr. Leach, Edw.

Generic character.

External antennae about as long as thebody, the scale slightly decreasing and rounded at the apex, ciliatedon the inner margin.

Internal antennae with the first articulation

very broad, hollowed above, forming a cavity for the eyes ; theouter margin armed with a tooth, and the inner furnished with alamellar and ciliated appendage ; the last two joints very short.

The filaments of these antennse are double and generally very short.
External pedipalps long, slender, and pediform, furnished attheirbase with a long, curved, ciliated appendage. Feet all with a small

appendage at the base ; the first three pairs didactyle, increasing
in length from the first to the third.
Carapace with a prominent

medianlarge

crest,

extending into a long toothed rostrum.

and round.

terior half carinated.

portionsof theEyes very

Abdomen large and much compressed ; its posFalse feetmuch

abdomen, terminating

enclosedinby the lateral
two unequal ciliatedplates.

One species only of this genus has been found on ourcoasts.

318
I'ENJKA&M.

DECAl'ODA.
MACROUIiA.

Penams Caramote.

Filaments of the internal antenna? shorter than the last t\voSpecific character.

Thoraxarticulations.

Desmar.

trisulcate

posteriori)' ;rostrum bent downwards, above

multidentate.
Al/ilieetis

Risso, Crust, de Nice, p. 20.

caramote

DESMAR. Consider, surles Crust, p. 2'25. Risso, Hist.
EDW. Hist, desNat. de 1'Eur. Mer. V. p. 57.

1 'f nee-us

Crust. II. p. 413.

LEACH, Mai. Brit. t. xlii.

trisulcatus

THE carapace

is

large

and somewhat ventricose;

therostrum extending to the peduncle of the internal antennae,

armed above with numerous (about twelve) rather strong
teeth, and beneath with one or two points only, the latter
placed alittleside of thein front of the line of the eyes ;rostrumisacrest,

whichison eachcontinued back-wards to near the margin of the carapace, thus forminga deep groove on each side of the median crest of thePENvEUS CARAMOTE.

oil)rostrum, the posterior portion of which is also traversed bya third longitudinal groove.

A strong tooth at the anterior

margin of the carapace, above the insertion of the internalantennse, and at the outer and upper margin of the orbit,
a smaller tooth at its inner side, and a third very small one
at the posterior termination of a small lateral groove

which

passes backwards from the face of the second tooth.

The

The inferior or in-eyes are round and remarkably large.

ternal antenna? have two extremely short filaments, shorter

The scalethan the last two articulations of the peduncle.
of the external antennae

issomewhat narrower and evenly

rounded towards the extremity, and ciliated along its
anterior and inner margin.
The external pedipalps are
pediform, gradually taperinginminatingof feetThea small acute finger.

didactyle, increasing in

the third, which

is

and

the extremity,

to

first

three pairs

length from therather the longest of the

ter-

first

five.

to

The

hand of the first pair is the most robust, that of the second
rather the longest:

the fourth and fifth pairs are simple.

The abdomen is much compressed, particularly posteriorly,
and rises to an acute carina for the greater part of its length
backwards.

The fourth and fifth segments are notched on

each

side.

The last segment, or medium portion

tail,

is

long, narrow,triangular,

acute,of thelongitudinallygrooved, furnished with a strong tooth on each side near
the apex.

The length of the British specimen,

figuredby Leach,from the rostrum to the extremity of the tail is not morethan three and a half inches.

Eisso gives five inches,and Milne Edwards seven as the length of those of theMediterranean.
I

have felt compelled, upon careful examination, to con-sider the British species of Penfcus, towhich Leach, pro-

S20

PRN/KAD/E.

bably from not having seen any Mediterranean specimen of
P. caramotc, gave the name of P. trisulcatus, as identicalwith that to which the former name has been given by
In this conclusion I
Rondeletius, by Risso and Edwards.

am borne out by the opinion of the last-mentioned distinLike some other of the Mediterraguished naturalist.
nean species found on our shores, it is very rare with us.

Leach mentions but two specimens known to him, nor is it
mentioned in any of the local Faunas either of England or
Ireland.

The two specimens known were both taken on

the Welsh coast.

D ECA POD A
I/

CUMA D/E:*

ti'ROURA ?

GENERA CUMA, EDW., ALAUNA AND
BODOTRIA, G-OODSIH.
IN the 13th volume of the " Annales des Sciences Natu11

relles,Dr. Milne Edwards described a small Crustacean

Cuma Audouinii

under the name of,but in his " Natural

11

he expresses his doubt whether thisanimal be anything more than the larva of a deca-

Hist, of Crustacea,'
littlepodous form, and places it amongst other doubtful examples
in an appendix.
In 1843, however,Mr. Harry Goodsir published in the"Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal," a very full andclear description

and of twoof this and two other species ofallied species whichof two new genera, to which he gives thetively of Alauna and Bodotria.

Cuma,

he considers as the types

names respec-

The whole of these I haveventured to consider provisionally as constituting a smallfamily, probably belonging to the lower decapods, which
to be Mr. Goodsirs own opinion, thoughwithdoubt, in which doubt I entirely agree.
expressed
This author satisfactorily determined that they are per-appears also

fectly developed animals and not mere larvae.

As I have never had an opportunity of seeing the animals, I take the liberty of giving the Avhole of Mr. Goodsir's account of thisto require or

remarkable family, which is too concise

admit of condensation.
v

322

CUMAD^R.

For the anatomical

details I

to

refer

the plates illus-

trating- the paper.

"

During the summers of 1841 and 1842, I obtained a number of crustaceous animals, which I arranged promiscuously under
the genus

Cuma of M. Edwards, it being my intention to publish

them at that time under this arrangement,
until

I waited, however,

could be satisfactorily proved whether they were perfectitanimals, or, according to the suspicions of M. Edwards, merely thelarvaeofsome Decapodous Crustacea.

I

have

now

satisfiedmyself that they are perfect animals, and at the same time havediscovered the types of two
in

new genera, which places the groupa still more interesting point of view.
''

I have applied the nameAlauna to the other;

Bodotria to one of these genera, andthe former being the ancient name of theFirth of Forth, at the mouth of which all these animals were got ;and the latter, the ancient name of the river Forth.
"

The latter of these genera (Alaima] may be the genus Condy-

lurus of Latreille, as I have never seen that author's description;

but whether it be so or not there cannot be any danger in applying
the name Alauna, as Condylurus had been previously used amongst
the Mammalia.

" As I had agreater number of specimens of the Cuma Edwardsii
than of any of the others, I have been enabled to make out thestructure of that species with greater minuteness.

" These animals are

pearance ;very like small prawns in their general apbut they bear perhaps in this respect a greater likenessto the species of the genus Nebalia than toany other known Crus-

taceans.
"

The shell is hard and brittle, cracking under pressure.

speciesare of a pale straw colour.

body islarge andabdomen is longer" M.

swollen ;;it is

The thoracic portion

composed of six

All theof thesegments;

theand is composed of seven segments.

his Memoir on the genus Cuma,
Edwards,
published in
the 13th vol. of the Ann. des Sc. Nat., considers that the whole ofinthe first and largest segment of the body constitutes the head.

InUENERA CUM A, ALAUNA, AND BODOTRIA.

323

the specimens which I have dissected, I have found a sutureallrunning across this segment, immediately before the middle part ofthis is observed very distinctly in the Cuma trispinosa, in the
The first of
Bodotria arenosa, and also in the genus Alauna.

it;these parts I consider to be the head ; the second part as thethoracic segment.

first

To the first we find attached the rostrum, eyes,Theantennae, organs of the mouth, and footjaws four in number.

second part bears the first pair of true ambulatory legs ; these legs
constituting (according to

M, Edwards)

the

third

of foot-

pair

jaws.
" The second thoracic
species (Cuma

Edwardsii ;segment is quite obsolete in M. Edwards's

Audouinii)

;

it

is

but slightly observed in the G.

in the C. trispinosa, however,itbecomes quite ap-

parent, being of considerable breadth at the dorsal portion.

In theAlauna rostrata, also, we find this segment quite developed throughout

its

whole extent, and the second pair of thoracic legs arisingfrom it.
" These two thoracic
segments (thecompoundlegs infirstand second) bear thethe genera Cuma and Bodotria, in which twogenera the four following segments bear the four pairs of simple
In the genus Alauna, however, we find a different arrangelegs.

ment, there being an equal number of simple and compound legs,
three pairs of each.

" Theeyes in this tribe of animals are exceedingly small ; they

are pedunculated, but sessile,* and are placed very close together ;they are situated near the posterior part of the head, a short distance behind the rostrum, and on the mesial line. They are coveredby the shell, owing to which, andtheanimal istheir proximity to one another,at first sight apt to be considered as monoculous.

rostrum is short and truncated in the genus Cuma ;

is

The

almost al-

together awanting in Bodotria, but is well developed in Alauna,being of considerable length and pointed.

" The antennae
undergo considerable changes in the different
this tribe.
In Cuma we find the superior antennoe conof
genera* Thispassage appears to be inconsistent.

The two greatfamilies ofMala-

costroca are essentially distinguished from each other by the eyes being relatively

pedunculated (Podophikalma)or sessile (Edriophtkalma).

T. B.

Y 2

824

CUMAD.*:.

armed with a number of strong

sisting of a single scale-like joint,

spines ;littlethe inferior antennae are five-jointed, being in general very

longer than the rostrum.

In Bodotria the superior antennseIn

are altogether obsolete, and the inferior antennae are very short.

A launa, again, we find the antennse more developed
consisting of a single-jointed peduncle,

the superior;

and a long multiarticulate

The inferior pair are eightcovered with hairs.

filament whichisor nine-jointed,

and are somewhat larger than the rostrum.

The

organs of the mouth consist of one pair of maxillse, three pairs ofmandibles, and two pairs of foot-jaws.

Theselast organs will befound minutely described under Cuma Edwardsii, the species whichI

have been enabled to examine most minutely.
"

The true legs may be classed into compound and simple.

compound legs, as we havethe genera Cuma and Bodotria ; but six in Alauna.

already stated, are four inThenumber in

The first,

compound legs, are divided into two parts, the anterior or amThe simple legs are muchbulatory, and the posterior or natatory.

or

shorter than the compound, and are more adapted for prehension ;but they are unarmed with claws, and are seldom used for thispurpose.
" The

abdomen is moniliform, seven-jointed, in

The last joint is very small inall

the genera.

the genera Cuma and Bodotria ;but in Alauna we find this segment very much developed.

All

the genera have the sixth abdominal segment armed with a pairof long bifurcated styles.
free ofappendages

The genera Cuma and Alauna are quite

to the other

dotria we find thatallabdominal segments;

but in Bo-

the abdominal segments are armed witha pair of bifurcated appendages.
"
Owing to the opacity of the shell, I have not been able as yet
to makeout the minute parts of the anatomy of these animals.
The intestinal canal consists of a long straight tube, considerably

dilated as it passes through the thoracic portion of the body;itreaches the abdominal portion

it

when

suddenly becomes much nar-rower.

" The

ment.

anal aperture

is

found

in

the seventh

abdominal seg-

GENERA CUMA, ALAUNA. AND BODOTRIA.
" The

branchiae are situated ono25each side of the thorax, imme-

the insertions of the legs, and approach, in theirdiately above

comb-like appearance, to those of the higher Crustacea. Interiorly,
each of them is connected with the superior foot-jaws, and, excepting that connection, lies apparently quite free in a sac formed
the reflectionof a thin transparent

internal surface of the thorax.

membrane, whichbylines theThe superior part of the branchiae

consists of one continuous piece, which is bent in a hook-like man-ner at its posterior extremity ; the 'branchiae themselves arise fromthe inferior edge of this part, and are about sixteen or seventeen
in number ; they are not laminated like those of thehigher Crus-

tacea, but consist of one large piece, which is apparently composedof a great number of cells.

" The

organs of generation are not apparent in the male, but inthe female, and, especially when she is loaded with spawn, theseorgans are at once perceptible.
structure and appearance

to theThey are very similar in theirsame parts in the female Mysis.

They consist of four scales, which arise from the inferior edge ofthe thoracic segments.

These scales are of an irregular oval shape,

concave internally, and convex externally, and they are overlappedby one another.

The eggs are of considerable size, and of a bright
It is from the genus

straw colour.

Cuma only that these obser-

vations were taken in regard to the organs of generation.

" When a
microscope,

portion of the skin, or shell rather, is placed under theitpresents a very beautiful appearance ;consists of a greatorder.

itapparently

number of nuclei, arranged in some degree of

These nuclei are stellated, and here and there larger nuclei

may be observed, the edges of which are quite smooth.
" The structure of these animals is sopeculiar, as to render theassignation (at present) of a proper place in a natural arrangementof the class, a point of very considerable
This arises indifficulty.
a great measure, without doubt, from our very limited knowledgeof the class.
I rather think, however, thatthey should be ranged

among the lower Decapoda macroura.

326

CUMAD.E.

Genus CUMA (Edwards).
Generic Characters.

The superior antennae are single-jointed, and scale-like ; theThe caudal styles have the double terminal

inferior antennae are five-jointed.

scales biarticulate, the last of which is always the shortest.

Cuma Edwardsii, mihi.

With the superior antennas rhomboidalC.

first pair;of legs, with the first joint bent atlike process single-jointed,

and with thewith the ambulatory division of the

an obtuse angle

last joints clavate.

;with the thumb-Length 4 lines.

Hab. Frith of Forth.
Description.

The whole animal is of a fine straw-colour, with a delicate tinge ofis brighter in certain lights
the shell is quite rough, which is
caused by the great number of shallow foveas with which the whole surface ispink, which

thickly covered.

;This, and the following species, are perhaps the smallest of

the genus ; at the same time, they are much thicker and stronger in proportion

The rostrum is short, thick, and suddenly

to their size than the other species.

The antennse are minute the first or superior pair are
truncated obliquely.
the exalmost obsolete ; they consist of one joint only, which is rhomboidal
;

:

they
tremity of each is armed with several strong but minute hairs or spines
The inferior antennse
arise from the truncated extremity of the rostrum.
;

arise

from the inferior surface and base of the rostrum

larger than the superior pair ; they are;

they are considerably

five-jointed, the third joint

being thelongest, the fifth or last is extremely small, and is armed with three very strong

These pair of antennse are somewhat longer
pointed and articulated spines.
than the rostrum. The footjaws are rather powerful, and have a great resem-

The first, or superior pair, are the smallest

blance to the following pairs of feet.

;the first joint is of considerable length, being equal to all the others combined ;itisrather bent and broad, andthumb-like processes or tubercles.

isarmed atits

distalextremity with two

Two very long and slender spines, which

GENERA CUMA, ALAUNA, AND BODOTRIA.

827

are almost as long as the foot-jaw itself, arise from the middle part of this seg-

ment

;

the external spine

armed, on

its

altogether, but

free of spinulesisthe internal

isexternal edge only, with a great number of articulated spinules.

The second segment of this footjaw is very short, and its posterior edge
two very short articulated spines of equal length

The third segment is almost equal in length

;

bears

these spines are spiniferous.

to the first, and, like the second,and spiniferous spines. The fourth
segment is small and rounded, being also armed on its posterior edge with sim-

also gives rise to nine or ten articulated

The fifth segment is thumb-like, and spinous on its posterior edge.
ple spines.
The external pair of footjaws are much larger than the internal they are five;

jointed, and are armed in the same way as the first pair, except that the external edge of the first segment isarmed at regular intervals with small tufts

of very fine hairs ; the extremity of the second segment

is alsoarmed witli avery long articulated and spinifevous spine. These two extremities just described are in general lying in such a way as to cover the organs of themouth.

The first two pairs of legs are constantly concealed beneath the carapace when the
animal is at rest, covering the footjaws and the organs of the mouth, and appear
only to be used when the animal

isswimming.

The anterior or ambulatory

division is five-jointed ; the first joint is about twice the length of all the others

combined;

it isconsiderably bent and very broad ;at regular intervals withments are quite

free of spines, but the laststrong claw and two smaller spines.
joint
to

arisesits

internal edge is armed

pennicillated tufts of hair ; the three following segis

armed at its extremity with a

An articulated thumb-like and chelate

from the extremity of thefirstsegment, immediately internal

The natatory or posterior division of this leg isthe last four segments.

multiarticulate
the first two segments are longest, being equal in length tothe first segment of the anterior division the remaining segments are minute, about nine or ten in number, each of which gives off a very long spiniferous;;

setum, which is articulated at

its distal half.

The second thoracic leg of thisspecies presents to us one of those beautiful and delicate structures which it is

impossible either to describe or to delineate with even a remote degree of accuracy.

The ambulator}' division is very long and slender, six -jointed

from the middle
joint is long and very much flattened, but tapers;

the first

towards its

with a very long and pointed spine ; the following joints are all equal to one another in length, except the last, which isminute. The natatory division of this leg is seven- or eight-jointed, and is
distal extremity, which is armed

The last five segequal in length to the first segment of the other division.
ments are all armed with long articulated and spiniferous setae, which smaller
spines are again spinulose.

The four following pairs of legs are simple, thatthey are all six-jointed, and are very spiny
they are merely ambulatory
The segments of the body from which they arise are all ovoid, their dorsal edge
is,

;

_

being sharp and pointed.

The abdominal portion of the body is long and slender, seven-jointed and moniliforni ; the last joint is minute, and lies between the caudal styles which arise

from the extremity of the
in

this

species ; they arethese styles are of no great length
segment
composed of three parts each style consists of a

sixtli;;CUMAD.t;.
long-jointed peduncle, from the distal extremity of which two biarticulated
scales arise ; these scales lie

The first segment of theone above the other.

peduncle is somewhat longer than the sixth abdominal segment ; the first segments of the scales are about half the length, and the last segment about onefourth the length of the peduncle the inner edge of thesuperior scales is armed
with a number of long, pointed, and articulated spiues. The spines which arise;

fromthe inner edge of the inferior scales are

more numerous ; they areallbent, their points being turned backwards ; the convex or anterior edges of allthese spines are very much serrated.
I

have named this species after

M. Edwards, the founder of the genus, and theleading crustaceologist of the day.

Guma Audouinii.

C.

With the superior antennae very small

Edwards.

;

with the first joint of the ambula-

tory division of the first pair of legs almost bent at right angles ; the terminal
joints oval, and the thumb-like process multiarticulate. Long, four lines to five.

Hab. Frith of Forth.

Under casual observation

Description.

this speciesisvery apt to be mistaken

for that last described, but by careful examination the difference is found to bevery material.
Edu-ardsii.

In

its

general appearance, this species resembles thethe rostrum is shorter and more pointed, and the eyes are larger
surface on the sides of this species

segment

isCuma

The first thoracic segment, however, is longer and not so rounded

more hid ; the third is

is

not

rounded;;the flattened

The second

so decided.

larger, ovoid, and;thoracic

the adjoinedGENERA CUMA, ALAUNA, AND BODOTRIA.
scale projects backwards ; the fourth

but not nearly so large

;

32i)

segment is of the same shape as the third,superiorly andthe fifth ends in a sharp point, boththe sixth thoracic segment is clavate.
The superior antennae are
The inferior
very small, and scarcely to be distinguished from the rostrum.
antenna? are very similar to those of the Cuma Edivardsii.
The footjaws arc
inferiorly;

also similar in

their structure to those of the last-describedbulatory division of the first leg

isfive-jointed

bent, and is of considerable breadth ; the

two

;

the

first

last joints

species ; the am-

joint

is

very muchare quite oval, andthe last nonchelate.
The internal thumb-like process, instead of being composed of one joint only, as in the last described species, consists of four or fivesegments, which are all armed with short spiniferous and pointed spines ; thenatatory portion of this leg is multiarticulate, the extreme joints being verysmall, so as to place the long spiniferous setae very close to one another.

The second pair of legs are very short.

The last four pairs of legs are similar in
The abdomen and caudal

their structure to those of the last described species.
fins also

bearing a similar resemblance.

This species is apparently the Cttma Audouinii of M. Edwards, but whether it isor not I cannot be quite certain.

Cuma trispinosa, inihi.

C.

With the dorsal ridge of the carapace surmounted by three spines, with theambulatory division of the first pair of legs extremely short,thoracic segment well developed.

Description.

Long, eight lines.

and with the second

Hab. Frith of Forth.

This is a most characteristic species, and brings out several points
This species has theof material consequence in the character of the genus.

body quite smooth, and of the same colour as the preceding.
as those of the preceding species,

It is the largest

The thoracic segments are not so dee])and the lateral compression isawanting. The

of all the species, but is more slender.

330

CUM AD ;E.

rostrum is sharp-pointed, and Lent considerably upwards the eyes are small,and the dorsal ridge immediately behind the eye is surmounted with three;

thick short spines.
its

dorsal part, but

its appearance

pound legs.

The second thoracic segment is of considerable extent at
itquite obsolete at the middle
again, however, makesis;at its inferior part, where it supports the second pair ofThefour following segments gradually decrease insuperior antennae are of considerable size, oblong

antennae are
firstmuch longer than the rostrum.

size

com-

:

the

The inferiorand spinous.

The ambulatory division of thepair of legs is extremely short, and the first joint is of no great breadth.

The natatory division it about the same length as the first joint of the anterior
division.

The second pair of legs are very long and slender ; the first segment is not broader
than the following joints, and is armed internally at its extremity with a very
long spine.

The simple feet are extremely spiny.
The abdominal portion of the body is very long and slender, the fifth segment bethe internal
ing the longest. The caudal styles are long, slender, and pointed
scale has the last joint pointed and armed with two spines ; the last segment;of the external scale is more obtuse.

Genus ALAUNA, mihi.
The superior antennae are composed of a peduncle and a
The inferior antennae are eight-jointed. The first
The internal scale of the caudal style is comthree pair of legs are compound.

Generic Characters.

multiarticulate filament.

posed of three segments, and the external of one.

Alauna rostrata, mihi.
The whole animal is of a beautiful bright straw colour, inclining to
The thoracic portion of the body is very large and swollen. The
first segment or carapace is almost oval.
The rostrum is long, pointed, and is
The eyes, which are of considerable size, arebent upwards at its extremity.
The superior pair of antenna? are very
situated at the base of the rostrum.

Description.

yellow.

slender, consisting of a delicate filament covered with hairs, which arises froma short peduncle;

these antennae are almost equal in length to the rostrum.

The inferior antennae are much longer, consisting of eight joints slightly spinous
the distal extremity of the third is armed with a strong multiarticulate spine.
The footjaws are seen projecting considerably beyond the edge of the carapace
they are very spiny, and the last joint but one is armed with a long articulated;;

spiniferous spine.

The first pair of legs are extremely short;the thumb-like process at the extre-

inity of the ambulatory division is single-jointed and spiniferous.

pair of legs are also short.

The second
The ambulatory division of the third pair of legs isvery long and slender, being almost as long as that of the second pair of legs
the fifth joint is the longest.
joints of theedges.

ambulatory.

;

The natatory division is as long as the first four
The simple legs are very spiny on their anterior

331

GENERA CUMA, ALAUNA, AND BODOTRIA.

The abdomen is short and thick, seven-jointed, the last joint being produced intoa long spine which is spiniferous on either edge ; the anal aperture is seen near

The caudal styles arise from the sixth segment, andthe base of this segment.

they are much more complicated that those of the foregoing genera. The first
segment is slightly clavate, longer than the seventh abdominal segment, andarmed with a single row of spines on its inner edge. The internal scale consistsof one joint only it is very spiny, and is about half the length of the external.
;

The external scale is composed of three joints, the first two of which are equalin length to one another

and

is

very spiny at;its

the third is about twice the length of both of these,

extremity.

Long, half-an-inch.

Ilab.

Frith ofForth.

Having only obtained one specimen of Alauna rostrata, andone also of Bodotria arenosa, I have not been able to examine thestructure of these two genera satisfactorily.

Genus BODOTRIA, mihi.
The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth abdominal segments
Generic Characters.
are each armed with a pair of bifurcated finlets. The two terminal scales of thecaudal styles are single-jointed.

CUM AD. K.

332

Bodotrla arenosa, tnihi.

The carapace is almost oval, rostrum awanting, that part of the
The superior antenna are quite obsolete.
The inferior pair are of considerable length, and are terminated by means ofInscription.

carapace being merely rounded off.

two long spines.

The ambulatory division of the first pair of legs has the first joint of a very greatsize, being very much flattened and slightly curved. The four remaining joints,
The natatory division of
together with the internal thumb, are very spiny.
the leg is six-jointed, the four last joints giving rise to as many long spiniferoua
spines,which are articulated at their distal halves.

spines are spiniferous at the articulated half only.

The external edge of these
The ambulatory division of

the second pair of legs has the first segment very broad, and tapering gradually

towards

its

distal extremity, from which arises avery long, articulated, andspiniferous spine.

The abdominal fiulets are five in number.

They are composed of two parts, viz.,

the first or pedicle, and the second or bifurcation ; the pedicle is of considerable
length, from the extremity of which there arise two scales, which are

armed

on their margins with long spiniferous spines, which are much longer than thefinlct itself.

The first segment of the caudal styles tapers very slightly, and the two terminal
scales are each of them single-jointed, and end by means of very fine points.
The external is armed at its extremity with two spines. Long, five lines.
This genus forms doubtless a link between the StomopoJa of M. Edwards and thehigher Crustacea.

GENERA Cl'MA, ALAUNA, AND BODOTR1A.
"

In their habits

allthese animals

seem

to agree.

been able to observe anything peculiar in them.

333
I

have notThey swim withvery great rapidity, and on stopping they fall to the bottom on thesand or gravel, without attempting to lay hold of anything, as I
have already remarked, seldom using their feet as a means of prehension.

Theyweight which

freethemselves with great dexterity from any

may happen to fall on them.

I

have often placed

the point of a needle on their thorax and pressed them down into
the sand ; the animal immediately frees itself with very little ap-

parent trouble, by means of

its tail.

The extremity of the tail isplaced against the needle with one of the styles on either side ofand by pressing upwards

it,

in

this

way,

it

soon

regains

its

liberty.

"

They frequent sandy banks, and chiefly those where there is alittlesea-weed."STOMOPODA.

MYSIDjE.

GENUS MYSIS, LATR.
CANCER.

Muller, Otho, Falir.

MYSIS.

Latr. Lam. Leach, Edw.

Generic character.

External antennae inserted beneath the in-ternal, the first joint giving attachment to alaminar appendage,

similar to that in the Palcemonidce, which is much elongatedciliatedandon the inner margin ; the two succeeding joints of the pe-duncle slender and cylindrical, the terminal filament filiform, andthelonger than the internal antennas, which are inserted beneatheye, near the median line, and have two terminal filaments.

Pedi-

palps consisting of two pairs entirely pediform. The first pair short,composed of three distinct branches ; the internal portion pediform,of five joints, hairy, and doubled upon itself in front of themouth;

the middle branch or palp elongated, and composed of numerous

very large, with a ciliated strapon
each
side
the
third or external branch, or fla;
shaped process
belliform appendage, is represented by a semimembranous scalearticulations ; the basilar joint

and lying under the margin of the carapace.
Second pair of pedipalps of the same form, but wanting the fladirected upwards,

Feet of six pairs, composed of corresponding
belliform appendage.
elements with the external pedipalps and five pairs of feet in the

DECAPODA ; each consisting of two branches, decreasing in lengthfrom before backwards, and formed for swimming ; the first four
pairs have no flabelliform appendage ; the last

with
is

it.

two are furnishedThis part in the male is very small, but in the female itgreatly developed, and forms on each side a broad plate bent un-

der the sternum, the two thus forming a pouch, in which the eggs
are first deposited, and within which the young are secluded,pass the early period of their

life.

and

Carapace covering only the335

GENUS MYSIS.

anterior part of the thorax, the two sides bent downwards and in-wards so as to be applied against the base of the feet;anteriorly it

becomes very narrow, and terminates in a short flattened rostrum.

Eyes large, short, with the base hidden under the anterior margin of the carapace.

nearly cylindrical.

Abdomen very slender, tapering, elongated,
Tail as in the macrourous DECAPODA.

No distinct branchial apparatus has as yet been observedin this remarkable genus ; and, as is observed by Dr.

Edwards,

" The

Milne

only appendage which appears to be so

modified in its structure, as to become more adapted than
the rest of the body to serve the purposes of a respiratoryorgan,

isthe lash of the first pair of pedipalps, which inother respects are similar to those found in numerous species possessed of branchiae."

It

is,

however, not at all im-probable that this may be the true organ of respiration.

The development of the young inlatethis genus, as well as

has engaged the attention of thetheir anatomy generally,

Mr. J. Vaughan Thompson, and a very elaborate"

monograph of their structure will be found in his Zoological Researches," to which the reader is referred for full
information.

The affinities of the family Mysidae, are very incorrectlyby the position which Dr. Milne Edwards has
them
In almost all theamongst the Stomopoda.
assigned

indicatedessential points of structure they are certainly more nearly
allied to someof the Dccapoda ; but as they are also re-mote even from these,
reduce them toIhave not considered it right tothat group, or toattempt to

fix

their

natural relation to the two groups, particularly as a local

Fauna does not offer the best vehicle for changes in genera!
arrangement.

MY8ID K.

STOMOI'ODA.

J.

Mysis chameeleon.
Specific Character.

V. Thomps.

Middle plate of the tailbifurcate,-rostrum obtuse, notmore than one-third the length of the ocular peduncle.
/I/>/'* spimi/osun?

DESMAR. ConEow. Hist, des Crust. III. p.

LEACH, Trans. Lin. Soc. XI. p. 350.
sider, sur lesCrust.

457.

Leadm?

J.

Chamcekon,

Ib. p. '28, t. ii. fig.

V. THOMPSON, Zool. Researches, p. 27.
I

10.

EDW. 1. c. p. 457.

THE general form of this species is much elongated. The
carapace slender, terminating in a very short rostrum, insome scarcely projecting, in others forming an obtuse triangle, and never extendingof the ocular peduncle.

more than one-third the lengthTheinternal antennse have thepeduncle somewhat club-shaped, thefirst joint

being elon-

the last two, and particularly
gated, cylindrical, and small,the terminal one, much broader, and both very short ; thewhole peduncle does not extend much more than one-third
the length of the scale of the external antennse:

the scale

337

MYSIS CHAMELEON.

becomes a little narrowed forwards, is obliquely truncate at
the apex, with a small tooth on the outer angle, and itisciliated withrather long hairs on the inner side and at its

extremity.

The middle plate of the tail is bifurcate at theapex, longitudinally grooved on each side of the medianline, minutely toothed on the sides, and with a stronger
tooth on each apex.
sides withThe lateral laminae are ciliated on alllong hairs ; the inner

is

and

long-lanceolate,acute ; the outer is longer, and rounded at the extremity.
It often reaches the length of an inch and a quarter.

"" can shew
Nothing," says Mr. Vaughan Thompson,the fallacy of colour indistinguishing the species,

more

clearly than the variety of tints which Mysls cliam&leon
assumes, as it occurs here in the river Lee and the harbourof Cove, and which have suggested
the upper part of theriver,

its trivial

name

;

below the city of Cork,initoccurs of different shades of grey, inclining at times toblack, having
scales,invariably the greater part of the anterior

inner branch of the inferior antennae and joints of

the outer laminae of the tail, black, and the fringe of thescales tinged with pink ; lower
fuci, itdown amongst the littoral

takes various tints of brown ; and those obtained

from sites abounding in Zostera and Ulvae, present us withgreen colours of greater or less intensity."
I have quoted the above account of the variation ofcolour in this species in the author's words, in order toshew that difference of colour alone can afford no groundfor considering this species as distinctof Leach.

from the spinulosus

And yet Mr. Vaughan Thompson, in his de-scription of the latter (which he names M. Leachii), gives
I am
decidedlyof opinion that they constitute but one species, and I havecolour as the only tangible distinction.

retained the name of ckamaleon, as spinulosus

isapplicable to various other species of the genus.
zequally

338

MYSID.TC.

This is, perhaps, the mostcommon and the most widelydistributed of our native species.

I

have received it fromvarious parts of the coast, both of England andIreland,but from no place in such numbers as from AVeymouth,

where

it

sometimes swarms.

My late lamented friend,

Mr. William Thompson, informed
thisspecies in numbers

Pollan, caught inme that he has takenfrom the stomach of Corregonus

Lough Neagh, shewing that it occasion-

ally inhabits fresh water.

339

MYSIS VULGARIS.

MYSIDJE.

STOMOPODA.

Mysis vnlgaris.

J.

V. Thompson.

Middle plate of the tail lanceolate, the apex entire rostrumSpecific Character.
to about half the length of the ocularvery short, obtusely triangular, extending
as long as the carapace.
peduncle ; antennal scale nearly
;

i.

EDW.

GENERAL form less robust than in M. cliamedeon.

Thel\Iysis vulgaris,

J. V. THOMPSON, Zool. Researches, p. 30,t.

Hist, des Crust. III. p. 459.

carapace slender, somewhat cylindrical, slightly constricted
at its anterior third, terminating in a very short, obtusely

triangular rostrum, which scarcely extends to the middleof theocularantennae much

peduncle.

The peduncle oftheinternal

resembling that in the former species

;

scale

of the external antennsc not less than four times the lengthof the peduncle of the internal ;points,ciliated on both sides,

subulate, obtuse

at theand without an apical tooth.

Middle plate of the tail lanceolate, acute, spinulose on the
z

'2.

340

MYSID.E.

sides ;

lateralplatessomewhat subulate,ciliatedon eachside.

Mr. J. V. Thompson appears to have been the first to
distinguish

thisspecies of Mysis,towhich he gave thename vulgaris, probably from its being the most common
species in the locality where he found

It is, however,it.

more rare on om- coasts, and probably, as it had escaped
detection, also on those of other countries.

The specificname which heassigned topropriety, and I

would fain have assigned to it that of theitisalways one of doubtful

by whom it was first discovered

distinguished naturalist

and described, but from a disinclination ever to change a
specific

It

name excepting under urgent circumstances.

appears to be a local species, and as far as we areat present able

to say,incoast;

isprincipally found on

the Irish

the Lee," says Mr. J. V. Thomp-"abounding" evenup to Cork," and I have specimens collected
W.
Mr.
Thompson in Belfast Lough. From the former
byson,

speciesit

may be at once distinguished by several promi-

nent characters, particularly the longer antennal

scale,

andthe simple acute apex of the middle caudal lamina.

Its

colour is pale, translucent grey.

The following is Mr. Vaughan Thompson's account of"
its habits.
They swim with the body in a horizontal
position,and abound in the Lee, even up to Cork, fromthe early part of spring to the approach of winter ; during
the still period of the tide at low water, they repose
upon
the mud and stones at the bottom of the river, and as thetide rises, may be observed forming a wide belt,

just within

margin, the youngest swimming nearest to the shore,
the oldest further out, and in deeper water
they appear
its:

to be mostly females, themales being few in proportion.
This species contributes towards the food of various young

MYSIS VULGARIS.
h'sh, fromwhich they frequently escape, by springing up outof the water."Is

itprobable that

notof Thompson),descriptionisM. integer of Leach(Scoticus

may be identical with this species ?

His

too imperfect to enable us to ascertain this,but they agree in such particulars as are known, excepting
in sizeand colour, both of which are variable characters.

The following is his account of the species.*" Tail with the middle lamella entire;
length one-thirdof an inch.

Colour pellucid cinereous, spotted with blackand reddish brown.

Eyes black.

Females more abun-dant than males.
" At lowtide, near Loch Ranza [in the Isle of Arran],
the pools were full of this species, swimming with its head
uppermost, anditseyes spread,making a most grotesqueappearance."*

Lin. Trans. XI. p. 350.

342

KTOMOPODA.

MYSID^E.

Mysis Griffiihsia.

Mihi.

Middle plate of the tail lanceolate, constricted near theSpecific Character.
base, apex entire, slightly obtuse ; rostrum lanceolate, extending beyond thepenultimate joint of the peduncle of the internal antennae ; antennal scale scarcely
longer than the rostrum.

GUER. Iconogr. Crust, t. xxiii. f. 2.

Mi/sis rostratus ?

CARAPACE much elongated, and more slender thanineitherof the former species, terminating forwards in along,acute,

lanceolate

rostrum,

extending beyond

thepenultimate joint of the peduncle of the internal antennas,
which is itself longer and more slender than in the former
species.

Scale of the external antenna? shorter than therounded at the apex, with asmall external spine, ciliated only on the inner margin.
Abdomen very slender and tapering ; middle plate of thepeduncle of the internal,taillanceolate,apex

entire,somewhat constricted near the

base,

the

very slightly obtuse, the margins spinulose ;the inner lateral lamella very narrow,tapering regularly

MYSIS GKIFFITHSI.E.
to the end, fringed on both

'J4-Ssides with long hairs ;lamella, broader and longer, fringed with long hairs

inner margin, and at the apex, and withouter

on thea few short stiff

hairs only on the anterior third of the outer margin.

Length three quarters of an inch.
I

canscarcely persuade

species figured, but

namemyself that

this

can

be

the

not described, by Guerin under theof M. rostratus,

although the characters in many
The form of the rostrum,
respects agree with his figures.
of the antennal scale, of the peduncles, of the eyes, of thetail,

and indeed of every part

general resemblance,
left

figured, although bearing a

differs so much in detailthat we arein the dilemma either of considering the representa-

tions worthless from their inaccuracy, or of giving a distinct
specific

nameto ours.

As nodescription exists ofM.

Guerin's species, I have adopted the latter alternative, andhave named it in honour of a lady to whom natural historyisgreatly indebted, and fromwhom I received the only

known.
specimens of this species
them at Torquay.

Mrs. Griffiths obtained

MYSID/E.

STOMOPODA.

GENUS THYSANOPODA, Emv.
Generic character.*External antenna, as

in Mi/sis, inserted

beneath the internal, and furnished with a small antennal scale,Internal antenna? inthe basal joint broad and almost globular.
sertedclosebeneathPedipalps twolegs themselves.

pairs,

theeyes ; furnishedwith two filaments.

theentirely pediform, perfectly resembling

Feet similar to each other and to the pedipalps,

excepting the last pair ; the basal joint short and thick ; the stalkthevery long, and furnished with long hairs on the inner side ;
much
of
the
last
and
shorter,legs
pairpalp short, lamellar,
hairy ;
consisting only of the palp, which is more developed.

Carapace as

the lateral processes more developedin

Abdomen withfalse feetthe appendages of the sixth segment forming the lateral

Mysis.
than in that genus ; the first five segments furnished with natatory

caudal laminse, and the seventh constituting the central, slender,
at the apex with two needle-shaped appendages.
BranchicK external, consisting of eight pairs, attached at the baseand furnishedof the several pairs

and trueto the last.

numerousof thoracic natatory members ; the pedipalps

feet increasing

in sizeand development from the first

They consist of a stem, or stalk, each furnished withlateral branches.

Eggs contained in a pair of oval sacs

dependent from within the base of the posterior feet.

This very remarkable genus of Mysidse was first described by Dr. Milne Edwards, in the Amiales des Sciences,from an Atlantic species wliicli lie found

in

the

collectionof crustacea formed by Mons. Reynaud, and placed in the*

In the engraving at the head of the description of our species, arc the detail*of all theessential parts ; for the beautiful

feel greatly

and accurate delineation of which I

indebted to Mr. Wcstwood's well known care ami accuracy.

GENUS THYSANOPODA.
Paris

Museum.

The remarkablespiratory apparatus distinguishes

345

peculiarity
it

at

in

the re-once from every

other form of Crustacea, and notably from its congeners inthe same family ; and the situation of the ova, which I am

enabled to supply from the new species about to be described, is not less remarkable.

346

STOMOPODA.

Thysanopoda OoucMi.
Specific Character.

Branchiae with only one series ofleaflets.

Middle pointof the trifid apex of the central caudal lamina, not half the length of the lateralones.

THE general aspect of this
once

its

near relation toorganization confirms.

curious species indicates at

Mysis, which the detail of its
present species differs from

The

Edwards

Th. tricuspida, the species on which Dr. Milne

founded the genus, in several points, the most strikingof which are the following.
In Edwards' s species the branclme, in addition to the primary leaflets ranged in a single
series along thestalk, have very numerous secondaryments attached to thema circumstance which

I

fila-

have notTHYSANOPODA COUCHII.
observed to347

exist in a single case of theexamined of our present species.

numbers I have

Judging from the figures

inDr. Edwards's plates, the carapace in the present speciesissmaller and more cylindrical ; the cleft in the lower lip

ismore hollowed, the palp of the thoracic

feet

is

less

are shorter, and very

developed, the abdominal false feetdifferently formed ; the middle lamina of the

tail

also

presents some difference in the relative length of the middle

One of the mostand lateral points of its tricuspid apex.

interesting circumstances in the organization of this species

the form of the ovisacs, which, instead of being mereispouches closely adherent to the thorax, are dependent from
This structure
their attachment by a distinct peduncle.

was unknown until I detected it in a single individual, theonly female amongst a large number of specimens sent tome by my friend Mr. Couch, who obtained them on the
Cornish coast, from the stomach of aappearedtointeresting

have been making alittlecrustacean.

Themackerel, whichfeast of this rare

andfollowing account has

been kindly furnished to me by that gentleman, and shews
that it can scarcely be considered as an ordinary inhabi" The mackerel from which the
curioustant of our coasts.

shrimps Thysanopoda were taken, were caught almost at
mid-channel, or almost ten leagues from us ; perhaps sevenand I have not seen any
or eight south of the Lizard;

since,

althoughIam much in the habit

stomachs of mackerel and otherfishes.

of searching the

There were my-riads in the stomachs of the mackerel at the time whenobtained those which
species to that

we

are

I sentyou."I

indefatigable and acuteindebted for so

many

I

have dedicated theobserver, to whom

valuable contributions tonatural science.

The following is a description of the details of the wood-

THYSANOPODA COUCHII.
cut ; a, superior antenna)lip ;d, first

maxilla ;oneof thethoracic

e,

;

5,

inferior antennae ;second maxilla

feet,

;

/,

c,

lower

mandible ; ^,with branchia attached ;7i,abranchia; i, abdominal false foot; fc, middle caudal lamina;,

lateral caudal lamina?.

STOMOPODA.

SQUILLAD.E.

GENUS SQUILLA.
SQUILLA.

Rondel.

CANCER.

Lin. Herbet.

SQUILLA.

Fabr., Latr., Leach, Desmar. Roux, Edw., &c.

Generic character.
drilateral.

Antennary segment moveable, nearly quaExternal or inferior antennce inserted on each side theantennary segment, beneath the anterior margin of the carapace
the

first

;

and second joints of the peduncle short and thick, thelatter bearing at its

extremity a broad, oval scalefilaments slender andshort.

the terminal;

The internal or superior antennce

attached to the anterior margin of the antennary
segment, andcomposed of a tri-articulate peduncle terminating in three filaments
of moderate length.
Mouth situated under the posterior third of
the carapace.

First pairof thoracic

members forming arobust claws, of which the terminal joint

is

pair

of

furnished with longand sharp teeth, and is capable of being doubled upon the penulti-

mate joint, into a groove of which it
ful prehensile

small,

implement.

isreceived, forming a power-

The three pairs following the claws are

and terminated by a rounded hand, with asingle finger,

forming a single claw like that in crangon ; the three posterior
thoracic members

much smaller, slender, cylindrical, and furnishedwith a styliform appendage attached to the extremity of the anteCarapace longer than broad, divided by longipenultimate joint.
tudinal sulci into three portions; not covering the first two

nor the last four thoracic segments.

cephalic

Abdomen rounded above, eachsegment furnished with a pair of broad natatory

false-feet,thebasilary joint quadrilateral, each bearing two lamellar branches,theexterior of which gives attachment on its posterior face, andclose to the peduncle, to a tufted branchia.

The

last

segment of

the abdomen is very large, forming the middle plate of the tail, the350

GENUS SQUILLA.

lateral portions of which are formed as usual by thethe sixth segment
isthe basilary joint of these;isappendages ofvery robust, andprolonged into a long pointed scale, which stretches out beneathand between the two terminal branches.
It hasbeen observed by Dr. Milne Edwards, that thedistinctness andseparation of the normal segments, espe-

cially those of the head and thorax, are carried further inthisfamily than in any other form amongst the Crustacea ;and in

this

view

it

may beconsideredasoffering

nearest approach to the typical structure, andthe homologies of the class.

thethe key toSome further allusion to thiscircumstance will be found in the introduction, and it willbesufficienthere to refer thereader to the descriptions

given by the excellent author just named, of the charactersof the family, and of the different genera ; and, in connexion
therewith, to the plates in which the details of the external

anatomy are given.*The

species of the family are very

widely distributed; and even of the genus Squilla, thecoasts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, furnish ex-

Of the three species which are known to inhabit
Mediterranean, two have now been found upon our

amples.
theSouth-western coast, both first discovered by the acute andindefatigable researches of Mr. Couch.

In the characters given above

I

have

included thosewhich are most characteristic of the family of Squilladsc,
as well as those which are distinctive of the genus, as thisisthe only generic representation of the family indigenous

to Britain.
*

Hist. Nat. des Crust. II. p. 509 et seq. pi.

1,

&c.

351

SQUILLAD.E.

STOMOPODA.

SQUILL ADM.
I

Squilla mantis,

Eon del.

Prehensile finger with six long teeth ; abdomen with eight
Specific Character.
longitudinal crests, the two central ones near together ; posterior margin of the

middle portion of the carapace straight.
Squilla mantis,

RONDEL. Poissons II. p. 307.

Cancer (mantis') digitalis, HERBIT. II. t. xxxiii. f. i. p. 92.
Squilla mantis,

LATR. Hist, desCrust., &c., VI.

t. Iv. f.

3,

p.

278.

Risso, Hist, des Crust, des Env. de Nice, p. 113.
Hist. Nat. de 1'Eur. Mend. V. p. 85.
EDW. Hist.

Nat. des Crust. II. p. 52.

THE carapace of this species is much narrowed anteriorly,
and the anterior angles are slightly spiniform; the rostral

352

SQUILLA MANTIS.

plate scmiovate ; the middle portion of the carapace has alongitudinal median crest, which bifurcates anteriorly, and it
is separated

isfrom the lateral pieces by a deep groove, which

continued transversely to separate the posterior portion ;on each side two raised lines or

the lateral pieces havecrests,the outermost of which extends back to near theposterior margin.

The claws very long and robust;

thelast joint

furnished with six sharp, slightly curved teeth,

inclusiveof the extremity ; thegroovefor the reception

next joint with a deepof the last when closed, and theinferior margin of the groove is denticulated,with three moveable teeth at the base.
terior segments of the thorax withand furnishedThe three pos-four crests.

The

ab-

domen is very broad and thick, broader and flatter towards
the extremity, and having eight distinct crests, including
the lateral margin of the segments ; the two middle ones
are nearer to each other than the others, and on the sixth

segment terminate each in a sharp spine. The last abdominal segment (middle lobe of the tail) about as long as itis broad, furnished with a high median crest,
terminating ina tubercle, at a short distance from the margin
the surface

generally marked with aranged in curved lines.

number of impressed points, ar-

The margin is raised and thickened,

and furnished with two pairs of lateral spines or tubercles,
and there are two pairs of sharp strong spines on the anterior portion,with numerous small dcnticuli between them.

The laminar prolongation of the basilary joint of the appendages to the sixth segment extends backwards as far as
the external caudal scale, and is furnished with two verystrong pointed horns.

laminaisThe

first jointof the outer caudal

strong and thick, and furnished, on

its

outer

margin, with several strong spines which appear to be
moveable.

353

SQUILLA MANTIS.

The length of the English specimen, which is a female,from the frontal plate to the end of the tail, is four inches
and a half.

I have a male specimen from the Mediterranean which is no less than six inches.

Mr. Couch,
above referred

whom I am indebted for the specimen" theto, informs me that
Squillse weretobrought from the distance of about a couple of leagues,
where the bottom is rocky, with some spots of sand."

_

-j

A A

354

SQUILLADJ5.

SQUILLADjE.

XTOMOPODA.

Squilla Desmarestii, Risso.
Specific

diameter.

Prehensile finger with five teeth ;longitudinal crests, the middle portion

abdomen with foursmooth, excepting the sixth segment,

which has two additional elevations.
Squilla Desmareslii,

Risso, Crust, de Nice, t. ii. fig. 8, p. 114.

Hist. Nat.

DESM. Consid. sur les
LATR. Encycl. X. p. 471.
Roux,de 1'Eur. Merid. V. p. 8G.
Crust, p. 251.

Crust, de la Medit. t. xl.
Crust. II. p. 523.

EDW. Hist. Nat. des

COUCH, Cornish Fauna, p. 81.

YARRELL, Loud. Mag. VI. p. 230.

THE present species of Squillacharacters from the former.

cliftersinmany striking

The carapace has nearly thesame general form, but is comparatively rather less narrowed
anteriorly ;itis lessstrongly marked, and the grooves and355

SQUILLA DESMARESTII.

numerous nor so distinct.

elevations neither soandscarcely any trace of longitudinal crests,

without spines

on the anterior

finger of the claws

isportion.

armed with

five

it

The

There
is

is

whollyfalciform

sharp teeth ; thepenultimate joint has the upper margin of the groove mostThe four exposed thoracic segminutely denticulated.
ments are smooth. The abdomen has on each side two
low longitudinal

crests, andtional ones near theissmooth.

the margin

the sixth segment two addi-

centre ; the remainder of the surface

The terminal segment has a median crest, andisfurnished with six strong teeth, the inter-spaces being minutely denticulated.

The laminar prolonga-tion of the basilary joint of the appendages of the sixth

segment projects nearly in the same proportion as in
8q. mantis ; and the lateral caudal scales do not offer any
striking peculiarity.

The length of full-sized specimensisthree inches

anda quarter.
This remarkably pretty species was first distinguished by
Risso,

who gives a description and an indifferent figure of" Crustaces desenvirons de Nice," and repeats the" LTHistoire Naturelle
description in his subsequent work,itin hisde 1'Europe rneridionale."

A beautiful figure is given by

Roux in his unfortunately unfinished work on the Crustaceaof the Mediterranean.

recorded byIts first occurrence on our coasts is

my valued friend Mr. Yarrell in the sixth

volume of London's Magazine, with a figure, which is,
however, very fallacious, from its being taken from a speci-

men which had becomeThis
corrugated in drying.
with
was
taken
Mr.
Couch
on
the
another,
specimen,bycoast of Cornwall, where they were

found amongst seaand thus another interesting addition is made tothose which I have already had to record, to the partial

weed

;

A A 2

SQUILLADyE.

Marine Fauna with that ofidentity of the Mediterranean

our southern coast.

The same

fact

recorded by Mr.

is

Couch in his Cornish Fauna.

am lately informed by Mr. A. G. More of Bembridge,

I

Isle of Wight, and of Trinity College,

Cambridge, that it has

also been taken repeatedly off Bembridge,

by the fishermenof that place, on a muddy bottom grown over with "grass"(zostera) ;and from a sketch with which that gentleman

has favoured me, and the testimony of the fishermen, it
would appear that it has there attained nearly the size of
those taken in the Mediterranean ; whilst those found on
the coast of Cornwall have not exceeded two inches anda quarter.

From the authorities already quoted, we learn that thisspecies abounds amongst the rocks near the coast, inpany with various Palemonidse
is

it

Its

commonly eaten

fried,;

with such smaller Macroura.

habits are wholly nocturnal, as

during the day.

Its

com-

and Roux informs us thateggs arehides itself always

itdeposited in

March andAugust.

The colours of this species are described as very pleasing.

The general tint is a yellowish brownwith a slight hue of rose.

The;

the pincers white,scalesof the antennse

and those of the tail are fringed with long rose-coloured
cilia.
Two remarkable varieties are mentioned one of adelicaterose-colour, and the other a deep yellow, slightly

varied with brown.

APPENDIX,CONSISTING OF SPECIES OBTAINED DURING THE

PROGRESS OF THE WORK.

359

XANTHO TUBERCULATA.

CANCERIDM.

DECA PODA.
BRACHYURA.

Xantho tuberculata, R. Q. Couch, m. s.
latero-anterior
Carapace slightly depressed anteriorly
Specific Character.
hands and wrists tuberculated, rugose ; ringers
margin with four triangular teeth
black, the rnoveable one with three grooves ; third joint of the ambulatory;;nearlyon the upper edge.
legs denticulated

THE carapace is slightly depressed anteriorly, more sothan in X. rivulosa, but somewhat less than in X. florida.
The rostrum slightly waved, minutely ernarginate the;anterior portion ofthecarapace somewhat

rugose ; thedemarcation sharp and distinct, the elevaregional lines ofthe latero- anterior margin withflattened
and;tions slightfour triangularnearlyequal ;

teeth.

theversely tuberculatedThe

anterior pair of feet robust,

hands and wrists somewhat

and rugose

tinct tubercles anteriorly ;;trans-

the wrist with two dis-the moveable finger has threeThegrooves, one on the inner and two on the outer side.
whole of the ambulatory feet have the fourth, fifth, andsixth joints hairy, with longer cilia on the edges ; the third
joint distinctly denticulated along the upper margin, witha hairy patch beneath.

860

CANCERIC^.

The general colour of " the carapace is light flesh colourbrown

and the;yellow."
I

first

pair

of claws almost transparent

The fingers are black or very dark brown.

have no hesitation in adopting the view of my friend,

Mr. R. Q. Couch,in considering thisspecies as

not only from either of those already described

distinct,

in

this

work, but from all others previously known. It differs fromboth the former conspicuously in the distinctly tuberculated

hands and wrists, in the entire hairy covering of the threeterminal joints of the ambulatory feet, and in the denIt differs fromticulated upper margin of their third joint.

X. rivulosa and agrees with X. florida in the depressed
form of the rostrum,
differs

from thewhile it agrees with the former andspecies in the grooving of thelattermoveable finger.

For the discovery of this
BritishCarcinology,interesting

we are indebted toadditionto ourMr. Richard Q.

Couch, of Penzance, who has kindly sent me the only
specimen I have seen. He informs me that it appears toprefer deeper water than the other two species, as hefound it repeatedly in the crevices of the Escliara foliacea,
in the deep

water off the Runnell Stone, in Mount's Bay.

In the summer it approaches the shore and is found understones.

It spawns in June.

The name of tulerculata has been given to the species by
its

discoverer, from whom and from his father,Mr. Jona-

than Couch, of Polperro, I have had so many claims upon

my acknowledgments for their intelligent and ready assistance in the progress of the present work.

LONG-LEGGED SWIMMING

361

CllAU.

DECAPODA.

PORTUNIDJZ.

BRACHYURA.

LONG-LEGGED SWIMMING CRAB.
Portunus longipes.

Risso.

Front slightly four-lobed ; latero-anterior margin
Specific Character.
shorter than the latero-posterior ; legs remarkably long.
Portunus longipes,

much

Risso, Crust, des Env. de Nice, t. i. f. 5, p. 30; Hist.

Nat. de 1'Eur. Merid. V. p. 4,
p. 192.

LATR. Encycl. X.

Crust, de la Medit.

Roux,

t. iv.

EDW.

Hist. Nat. des Crust. I. p. 445.
in/ractus,

Dalyelii

OTTO, Mem. de 1'Acad. de Bonn, XIV. t. xx. f. 1.
S.

BATE Annals of Nat. Hist. 1851, p. 320, t. xi.
f.

9.

THE general form of this interesting

species is very dif-ferent from that of the others of the genus.

It is altogether

more slight and slender in its proportions.

The carapaceisflattened, and, inthe male, broader thanthe proportion of three

toproportion is not so great.
ridge,

two
It is

;

in

the

it is

long, infemale the dis-

divided transversely by awhich terminates at each side in a long and sharp

362

PORTUNIDJE.

tooth, the posterior of the fiveanterior margin ;which occupy the latero-of these teeth the middle one is broader

much longer

than the others, and the posteriorisare all somewhat curved forwards.

The anterior portion of

;

they

the carapace is minutely granulated, and has several slightthe front

elevations ;isslightly four-lobed,

the division

The first pair of legs

more strongly marked

in the male.

strong and angular ;the wrist having a strong tooth on

the inner anterior angle ; the hand with two carinse above,

the inner one terminating in a small spine.
finger with three distinct longitudinalintermediate grooves.

The three

The moveableand deep

caringe,following pairs of feetlong and slender, increasing in length to the fourth, whichisthe longest of

all ;gitudinally grooved:

flattened,

the last three joints lon-

the fifth pair slender and weak, theterminal joint lanceolate and slightly grooved.

domen,

The ab-the male, triangular, the last joint abruptly

inin the female, broad and much rounded.

narrowed ;The colour of this species is a rich deep brownish red,with reddish grey spots; the abdomen yellowish or pinkish
white.

The occurrence of thistruly Mediterranean species on

our southern coast is interesting, as affording another instance of the partial identity of the Fauna of the two shores,
to

which

refer.

I

have already had occasion so repeatedly tofound on our shores until

It had not, I believe, been

was dredged on the coast of Cornwall in the year 1848,by my friends Prof. E. Forbes and Mr. M' Andrew, from

it

whom

I

received

a malespecimen,and subsequently,

through the kindness of Mr. Cocks of Plymouth, a female,which was taken by that gentleman.
I also received
a specimen from Mr. B. Q. Couch, of Penzance, during
theyear above-mentioned.

Itisdoubtlessthespecies868

LONG-LEGGED SWIMMING CRAB.
described

by Mr. Spence Bate as new,inthe " Annalsof Natural History," for 1851, under the name of Portunus
Dalyellii,

from a specimen obtained in Oxwich Bay, near

Swansea.

The

in thelateral spines aremany Mediterraneanin

Roux's figure.

other species

been given,legs.

very largely developedinfigure given by Mr. Bate, but not more so thanspecimens, and scarcely more than

It is at a glance distinguished

from

all

by the character from which the name has
namely, the length and slenderness of theDECA PODA.

CORY&T1DJE.

BRACHYUK.l

GENUS THIA, LEACH.
CANCER.

Herbst.

THIA.

Leach, Risso, Latr. Edw.

Generic character.

External antennae of moderate length,

serted beneath the front, just at

the innerside of theInternal antennae, transversely folded beneath the front.

pedipalps extending forwards to the antennal

branch with second joint shorter thanangle truncate and submarginate.

it is

in-

orbits.

External

fossa ; theinnerbroad, its anterior inner

Orbits extremely small.

Eyes
Carapace somewhat heart-shaped, considerably
narrowed at the posterior portion, nearly horizontal from before
scarcely visible.

backwards, much arched from side to side ; the front broad, lamelliform,
legs

entire,short,

bounded by a small notch on each side.

andslightly
stillcompressed,thefingers

Anterior

deflexed;

theshorter, each terminating in an acute styli-

remaining pairs
form joint.
Abdomen in both sexes very narrow ; in the malewith the three middle joints united ; in the female the sevenjoints all moveable.

A GENUS established by Leach, in

his"

Zoological
Miscellany," on a species of which he was ignorant of thelocality.

365

THIA POUT A.

CORYSTTD^E

DECAPODA.
BRACHYURA.

Thia polita, Leach.
Cancer rcsiduus ?

HERBST, t. xlviii. f. 1.
LEACH, Zool. Miscell. II. t. ciii.

Tina polita,

Risso, Hist. Nat. de 1'Eur. Merid. v. p. 19.

Thia Blaiurit/ii,

THE carapace
polished ;GUERIN, Icon, clu regnc

EDW. Hist, des Crust. II. p. 144.

anim. t. iii. f. 3.

inThia polita

the circumference

small notch over each orbit ;isisperfectly

smooth andalmost entire, excepting a

its outline

iscontracted to-wards the posterior portion, and the posterior margin istruncated in the male, and slightly hollowed in the female;
it isnearly horizontal from the front to the posterior mar-gin, and much archedfrom side to side;

the front is pro-minent and evenly arched ; the whole of the margin is
The orbits are very small, andciliated with long hair.
the minute

eyes

are

ordinarily concealed within

them.

The anterior pair of legs are robust, the surface polished;the hand is rounded, the posterior outer angle obliquely
cut away for the articulation of the wrist ;slightly deflexed,

and armed with a few small

The remaining legs are shorter thanones

the fingers arebeing the shortest;

tubercles.

the former, the hinder

the joints, particularly the pen-

366

CORYSTIDJ3.

ultimate, rounded

and somewhat gibbous
the terminal
one subulate and acutely pointed, the whole of them;

The abdomen

strongly ciliated.

the

in

male

is

five-

jointed, from the soldering of the middle three joints, but
their distinction

is still

obvious from the transverse groove

not being obliterated ; it is narrow triangular, the last joint

very small:

inthe female theabdomen isand a little broader than in the male;seven-jointed,

in both it is fringed

with long hair.
Length, 0'6 of an inch, breadth rather more.
owe our knowledge of this rare species, as indi-We

genous to Britain, to the researches of Dr. Melville, thelearned Professor of Natural History in Queen's College,
found by him buried in the sand, andthree specimens, one male and two females, obligingly forIt was

Galway.

Both the females were loaded with spawn.
Hitherto this is the only instance of its occurrence as anative of our coasts.

warded to me.

Thespecies

was

first

by Herbst

figuredinhis great

I cannot, however,work, but somewhat imperfectly
joinwith Dr. Leach and Milne Edwards in doubting that;

Herbst's species is identical with that of the individual on

which Leach founded his Genus Thia.
specimen was unknownthe;The habitat of that

but Eisso has described, undername of Th. Blainvillii, what I cannot but believe to

It is stated by Dr. Milne Edwards tobe this species.
"
La Manche" and the Mediterranean.
inhabit
It is

right

which thegiven bytomention that there

one character in

Irish specimen differs from thedescriptions
Leach and Mihie Edwards
namely, in themuch shorter length of the antenna;
"

is

;

;

but Guerin's figure,

Iconographie du regne animal," exactly agrees
this respect with the former.

in

the

in

DROMIADM.

DECAPODA.
ANOMOURA.

GENUS DROMIA, EDW.
CANCER.
DROMIA.

Generic character.

Linn. Herbst.
Fabr. Latr. Leach, Ed\v.

External antenncc placed beneath the ocularpeduncle; the auditory tubercle, occupying the base, very large, andperforated at the external angle ; the next joint large and nearly
cylindrical, forming the inferior boundary of the orbit, andwith a strong tooth.

armedInternal antenna with the basal joint nearly

and incylindrical ; the antennary fossre longitudinal and distant,complete at the outer side.
inshaped.

Anterior feet very robust, terminating

the extremities strongly toothed, and spoon-a strong claw,

The second and third pairs offeet of moderate and nearly

equal length, terminating in a sharp somewhat curved nail ; thebasal joint of the third in the female pierced with the opening of
the generative apparatus ; the fourthand fifth pairs very small,turned over the back of the carapace, against which they are closely
pressed, each terminatingCa-in a small but perfect double claw.

the front
rapace somewhat globular, the regions distinctly marked;
inclined and small.

Orbits deep.

Eyes with short peduncles.

The characters of this remarkable genus are, to a certain
extent, intermediate between the brachyurous and macro-urous forms.

In the young state the great predominanceof the posterior or abdominal regions of the body approxi-

mate it in some measure to the latter;and the generalform of the cephalo-thoracic portion, especially in the adultcondition, is not less assimilated to the former division of

the class.

The characters of the posterior pairs of feet atonce remove

itfrom either of these, and indicate

its

true

DROMIAD^E.

,'368

be amongst those anomalous forms which havebeen associated by Dr. Milne Edwards into the interme-

place

to

diate group, the ANOMOURA..

The

distributed.
species of this genus are very widely

The Indian and African shores, those of the Red Sea andof the Mediterranean, the islands of the West Indies, andthe coasts of South America, have furnished various species;

and our own southern coast has of late years been found to
most conspicuous
give a place of habitation to one of thespecies.

DROMIA VULGARIS.

369

DECAPOD A.

DROMIA D^.

ANOMOURA.

Dromia vulgar is Edwards.
^

Specific Character.
Carapace broader than it is long ; latero-anterior margin
the last joint ofwith four strong teeth, the second having a tubercle at its base;the abdomen in the male broader than it is long.

Cancer dromia," Olivi Zool. Adriat.

Dromia ftumphii,

Bosc, Hist, des Crust.

p.

45" (M. EDW.).
I.

p.

229.

DESMAR.

Consider.

BLAINV. Fauna Franc. Crust.
Risso, Hist. Nat. de 1'Eur. Merid. V. p.

sur les Crust, p. 137.
t.

vii. fig.

32

Dromia vulgaris,

1.

EDW. Reg. anim. de Cuv. Edit. 3. Crust. II.

f.

1.

EDW. Hist. Nat. des Crust. II. p. 173.

THIS species, which has at length been undoubtedly proved
to inhabit our southern shores,

and probably too in consi-

derable numbers, has the carapace strongly knobbed above,
especially at

the anterior portion, and verymuchraisedso as to approach the globular form ; the front with threeteeth,

which becomelessprominent by age

;

there
n B

is

a

370

DROMIADJE.

above the external angle of the orbit, and a tooth
The latero-anterior margin has four
beneath that cavity.
fissurestrong teeth, the bases of which are long ; the first situ-

ated beneath the line of the orbit, the second furnishednear its base with a tubercle or small secondary tooth, thus
the third occupying a larger
appearing almost as if double
portion of the margin than either of the others, and the;last

the smallest.

long

as

The latero-posterior margin nearly asThethe latero-anterior.

first

pair

of legs arerobust and nodulated ; the hand has several small conicalThe claws

teeth on its upper and inner edge.

are smoothand polished, strongly denticulated and internally hollowed
at the extremity, the denticles of each finger shutting into

the interspaces of the other ; the moveable finger

curved on the upper side;

second and third pairs of legs much shorter than theterminating inmuch

the wrist largely nodulated;thefirst,

a strong, sharp, curved nail ; the fourth anddoubled back over the posterior part of thecarapace, flattened, and each terminating in a sharp, toleThe abdomen in the male isrably perfect, double claw.
fifth pairs aremuch curved

and the joints are

longitudinally,

the terminal one broader than

it

is

long.

distinct ;In the female

abdomen is extremely broad and much curved; each
The whole
joint elevated in the centre, and on each side.
theanimal, body and limbs, covered with dense short hair,

which in the young stateisof a buff colour, and in theadult dull brown.

Length of the carapace of a full grown male two inches
and a half, breadth three inches.
I have carefully examined thehair with the microscope,and have not found in any
one instance the club-shaped hair assigned by Dr. Milnein individuals of various ages,

Edwards to this species. The hair is in all cases setaceous,DROMIA VULGARTS.

371

very acute at the point, and is itself furnished with minutehairs along its sides.

The first intimation of the present species as a native ofBritain, occurs in an announcement by Mr. John Edward
Gray, at a meeting of the Zoological Club of the Linnsean
These wereSociety, as long since as June 22nd, 1824.
stated to have been seen by that gentleman in Billingsgate

Market, amongst some oysters, which had been broughtThis fact isfrom Whitstable Bay, on the Kentish coast.
11
"
In
419.
Vol. I.
recorded in the
Zoological Journal,p.

the " Zoologist," 1848, p. 2325, occurs a notice of no fewer

than nine full sized specimens having been dredged on the
Mr. Newman gives the details of its
coast of Sussex.

and a figure of the species, having received
from Mr. George Ingall.
About the same time mylamented friend Mr. Dixon, of Worthing, sent me threeoccurrence,itMr.
specimens which had been procured off Selsey Bill.
Newman alluding to Linnseus's name of an allied species,
cancer " dormia" supposes it to refer to its sedentary andtoogood ascholar thus to render a derivative from dormio ; it islethargic

habits.

Linnaeus

was,however,plainly a misprint for dromia, from thelittleGreek A^of^fj a" Amocnitates
Academicse,"running crab ; and in the

Linnaeus himself gives the correct spelling.

some years since received numerous young specimensfrom Sicily, every one of which had the carapace entirelyIcovered with a sponge which had grown over it, concealing

two hinder

which were closely
It ispressed against the back, and rendered immoveable.

even

the

pairs

of legs,

a common Mediterranean species.

B B

372

PAGURTDyE.

DECAPODA.

PAGURIDJE.

ANOMOUKA.

Pagurus Thompson^ mihi.
Specific Cfiaracter.

The whole of the legs hispid and spinous;

anterior pair

the wrist as long as the hand ; eye stalks extending to half the lengthof the last joint of the peduncle of the external antennae ; antennal spine curved

unequal;outwards, and furnished with a row of small spines on the outer edge.

THE carapace is polished, but sparsely marked with imThe eye-stalks are
the front nearly entire.
pressed dots;cylindrical, and furnished with a regular longitudinal seriesof minute tufts of hair along the upper surface ; they extend
forwards to the middle of the last joint of the peduncle of

The anteunal spine is curved outThe internal
wards, spinous and hairy on its outer edge.

the external antennae.

antenntc are half as long again as the peduncle of theexternal.

spinoushairy,;

The

anterior

feetthe larger handvery unequal,

twice as long as

beset with spinous tubercles,

bristly,
it

is

and

broad,of which thereisastronger series along the outer side; the moveable finger with

PAGURUS THOMPSONI.
fitting between

a strong tubercle

373

two smaller ones on theother finger when closed ; wrist about as long as the hand,and equally hairy and spinous, with a row of longer spines
along the inner edge.

Smaller anterior leg nearly linear,

the proportions, clothing, and armature
to thesomewhat similarlarger, but the opposing edges of the fingers with-out tubercles.

covered withThird and fourth pairs of feet very long,
the last joint
hairs and small spines

stiff

armed with a;seriesof strong spines along the inferioredge, and terminated by a sharp nail.

The general aspect of this species reminds one of P.
Prideauxii, the proportions of the parts being somewhat
similar ; but it differs not only in some proportional characters, but strikingly in the spinousof the whole of the legs.

It bearsand hispid clothing

in these latter circum-

stances some relation to P. Cuanensis, but from this it may

be distinguished by the proportions between the wrist andhand, the form of the wrist, the relative proportions of theeye stalks and antennal peduncle, and other characters.
I have a melancholy gratification in dedicating thisspeciesby nameto agentleman who for many years wasof the Zoology ofjustly considered as the representative
Ireland,and whose acute discrimination and persevering

enthusiasm in his favourite pursuit, were only equalled by
the liberal and unselfish feeling with which he placed histreasures in the hands of his fellow labourers, whenever hebelieved the interests of science would be thereby furthered.

The specimen from which the above description is taken,
was placed in my hands by my lamented friend only a very
few days before his untimely death deprived the science of
Ireland of one ofitsmost distinguished ornaments, andsociety of as kind and true hearted a

man as ever lived.

Mr. Thompson's note given me with the specimen is as374"

Dredged at fifty fathoms, entrance of Belfast
It was in the shell of the comBay, by Mr. Hyndman."follows:

mon whelk, Buccinum undatum,
The vignette is from a tesselated Roman pavement discovered at Cirencester in J 783.

BLUE-BANDED HERMIT CRAB.

DECA PODA.

375
PAGURIDJE.

ANOMOURA.

BLUE-BANDED HERMIT CRAB.
Pagurus fasciatus.
Specific Character.

Mihi.

Anterior legs unequal ; hand oval, smooth;eye-stalks aslong as the penultimate joint of the external, and nearly half as long as the wholeof the internal antennae ; body and legs banded alternately with red and blue.

THE carapaceissmooth and even, ovate, rounded in

front, truncated and slightly emarginate behind.

External

antennae as long as the whole of the body, the peduncle
cylindrical,

thesecond andlastjointsof nearly equal

The internal
length, and apparently without any spine.
antennae are of moderate length, less than twice as long as
the peduncle of the external.

Eye stalks nearly cylindrical,

slightly curved outwards, as long as the penultimate joint

PAGURID^E.

376

of the external antennae.

The anterior pair of feet arerobust, of unequal size; the hand is oval, broader anteriorly,
slightly pointed at the extremity of the fingers ; the move-able finger fitting the other closely ; the wrist subquadrate,

broader thanisitlong ; the second and third pairs withthe penultimate joint ciliated on the inner edge.

The body is obscurely, and the whole of thetinctly marked with alternate

The whole of the above

legs

dis-

bands of red and blue.
description

isgiven from acoloured drawing, for which I am indebted to Mr. Cocks,of Falmouth, and from which also the woodcut is taken.

by him at Falmouth. I have never seena specimen, but I am confident that Mr. Cocks' s accuracy
It was obtained

1of delineation may be implicitly relied on.

This species

may at once be distinguished from every

other known on our coasts.

The only one to which, froma primd-facie resemblance,
form
of
the
it
bears
the
hands,
isP. Hyndmanni, but from this it differs in the form of thethorax, the comparative length of the internal anteunse,and many less obvious characters.

The distinct alternate

bands of blue and red render it one of the most beautifulof the genus.

I'AGURUS D1LWYNII.

DECAPODA.

377
PAGURIDsE.

ANOMQURA.

"

Pagurus Dilwynii"" CARAPACE smooth andpolished.

Sp. Bate.*

Colour bluish, marked

with brown.
" Firstpair of feet unequal, the left being much longer

than the right;smooth to the naked eye, but under a
The second andlens perceived to be minutely granulated.

third joints arearmed with teeth, which give the limb an
The right is very short and covered

angular character.

with hair.
" The externalantenna is about two-thirds the length ofthe longest of the first pair of feet, andhairy ; its base as
Thelong as the eye-stalks, which are slender and long.
basal tooth, with which the antenna of thisgenus is generally armed,*

iswanting.

Annals of Nat. Hist. 1851 , p. 320, pi. x. fig. 11.

378

PAGURIDJ3.

" The false feet in the female arelong and feathery, anddivide at the base.

" The moststriking difference between this and other
British species of the Pagurida,of thefirstpair of feet,isexhibited in the form

and the length of the externalantennae.
"

Having met with only this solitary specimen, it is im-

possible tosay but that the right foot of the

first

pair,

which is usually the longer, may be in the process of being
reproduced fromloss ;

althoughIam inclined, from its

well-developed character, to believe that the left is in thisspecies thewhichmore important of the two.

in the

The false feet,

female are generally forked, are so in thisspecimen, but very much nearer to the base than in thecommon species.
" It burrows

Taken near thevery rapidly in the sand.
Worms Head, Swansea.
" Mr. Couch has informedme, since this has been in thehands of the printer, that he has also found the species inCornwall.
" The nameapplied to this species is one long-known toscience, and honoured as the
in

this

locality instimulator of natural history

the person of L.

W. Dillwyn, Esq.,

Sketty Hall."

The foregoing description and figure are copied fromthose given by Mr. Spence Bate, in the " Annals of Natural
History," as I have never seen the species.

379

CYNTHIA FLEMINGII.

STOMAPODA.

MYSIDJE.

GENUS CYNTHIA.

V. THOMPSON.

J.

" Subabdominal finscomposed of two joints,
four last fins with the terminal plume double, with an opake bifurGeneric character.

cate, and convolute organ rising between

Cynthia Flemingii.

each."

H. Goodsir.

" Inferior antemial scale almost twice aslong as the pedunSpecijk Character.
Rostrum slender andthick fringe of strong hairs bordering its edge.
Volute organ between the plumose setae of the Subabdominal tins
finely pointed.

A

cle.

minute edges of the middle plate of the tail spined.
"
Hab. Frith of Forth.
Long, eight lines.
;"
Description.

The whole bodyof an opake straw-

colour, with the reticulated portions of the eyes black.
Superior antennce with the peduncle three-jointed, the twofrom the second joint of thepeduncle, the last joint ovate, surrounded with a thickthese hairs are bent downwards at theirfringe of hairs

cetaceous portions

arising;

extremities, so as to form a concavity on the lower surface.

The peduncle is about twice the length of the eyes.

Thepeduncle of the inferior antennae extends to the origin of
the setaceous portion of the superior antennas ; the twolast joints are

slender andclavate.

A long, slender, andMYSIDJ;.

pointed scale arises from the first joint of the pecluiicle,
above the setaceous portion ; this is twice as long as thepeduncle, and is thickly fringed with long hairs, which are
directed inwardly so as to meet those of the opposite side.

The

carapaceisnot very large, curved atitsposterioredge, and produced at its posterior and inferior angle.

" Abdomen

the inferior edge of each segment
andall of them but the last bearconsiderably produced,
slender,

ing a fin composed of two joints ; theof them but the

all

first

clavate ; the second is multiarticulate

like

first

joint

scale-

isand plumose;

The bifurcate con-pair double.

volute organ, between the double plumes,isvery minute.

Middle plate of the tail edged with spines on its sides, andExternal caudal fins twice as longentire at the extremity.

as the middle plate, and pointed.

" The bifurcate and convolute

plumes of the four
the

last

organ between the double
subabdominal fins, together withnumber of joints in these fins, seem

striking characters of this genus.

memoir of his

third

not

in theto be

the most

Mr. Thompson, in the'

Zoological Researches,' says,

number of joints

alone,'

Itishowever, that they(subabdominal fins) differ, their form and structure is also
In Cynthia the four last of theseessentially different.

members are each composed of a very large bilobate scale,
apex two taper articulate fins, strongly
from between these originates
ciliated with plumose setae
supporting at

its;

an opake organ

which

unequal length being
other.

bifurcates,

rolledits

two extremes ofinwards, theone over the1" Mr. Edwards considers that these last are theapparatus.

branchial

381

THEMISTO LONGISPINOSA.

MYSIDM.

STOMAPODA.

GENUS THEMISTO.
Generic character.

" External

H. GOODSIR.

antennae armed with a scale.

fins likeFirst, second, and fifth segments of the abdomen bearing
Third and fourth with the peduncles bi-articulate,the mysis.

and each peduncle giving off two branches;

the external branch of

the fourth very long and slender, semi-articulated.

Themisto lonc/ispinosa.
Specific Character.

"nal joint of its peduncle ;ferior

H. Goodsir.

the termiSuperior antennal scale of the same length asarmed at its extremity with a thick tuft of hairs. In-

antennal scale twice as long as

itspeduncle ; fringe not strong. Third
Internal branch of the fourthsubabdominal fin with its internal branch minute.

with a few long hairs from the extremity only.
the extremity of the caudal fins.

"Long, three-quarters of an inch.

"
Description.

External branch reaching fromInternal caudal fin truncated.

Hab. Frith of Forth.

The whole body of a dark yellowish or

Eyes large, reaching to the extremity ofgreenish colour.
The reticulated
the peduncle of the inferior antennae.

Rostrum

portion black, and produced backwards inferiorly.
First joint of the pedunvery short but sharply pointed.
inferior
antennas
cle of thevery strong, the two following
slender ; the setaceous portion of the antennae arising from

S82

MY8ID.E.

The scale arises from the innerthe extremity of the last.

and superior part of the

firstjoint of the peduncle ;it ishardly twice the length of the peduncle, slender, and tapering very gradually to the extremity ;rather thinlyisit

The upper surface of the peduncles of the supe-fringed.

hollowed out, forming a bed for the eyes.

rior antenneeA

short ovate scale arises from the inferior part of the last
joint, immediately

below the origins of the setaceous porA thick bunch of matted hair arises

tions of the antenna.

from its extremity, which givesThebi-articulated.

inferior

the appearance of beingedge of the external seta of

the superior antenna} bears ahairs,

itthin fringe of very strong-which are thickest and- strongest near the base.

The carapace is not large, leaving two of the thoracic segments exposed posteriorly it is rounded at its anterior
and inferior angle, and considerably produced at its inferior;

and posterior angle.
palpus arises
isslender,

A strong bi -articulate and chelate
The abdomenfrom each side of the mouth.

but the segments are not produced inferiorly.

The branchial subabdominal fins are five in number
arise

from

[two].

allthe abdominal

The first,

second, andfifthof two joints.

The

first

they
last

are like those in thegenus Mysis, namely, a single plumose joint
fourth are pedunculated,;segments except the;the third andthe peduncles being composed
joint is minute, the second is of

considerable length ; two branches arise from the extre-

mity of the second joint ; these branches, in the third fin,are both plumose ; in the fourth one the internal only isplumose.

The

external branch of the fourth consists of avery long six-jointed spine, which reaches beyond the extremity of the caudal fins ; it is very finely pointed ; theinternal branchexternal branch.

about the same as the

firstjoint of the

The caudal plate is slightly swollen near

383

THEMISTO LONGISPINOSA.

its edges are serrated, and its extremity bifurcated ; the bottom of the fourth being rounded, and thethe base ;extremitiesof the fork also blunted and rounded.

The

internal caudal fins are truncated at their extremities ; theexternal are paddle-shaped, and rounded at their extremities.

Both of thesefins are fringed

and inferior edges with long hairs.'

1 ''at theirextremities

384

MYSID.E.

MYSIDM.

STOMAPODA.

Themisto Iremspinosa.
Specific Character.

"

H. Goodsir.

Superior antennal scale not so long as the peduncle. InInternal branchferior antennal scale four or five times as long as the peduncle.

of the third subabdominal fin minute ; the internal branch of the fourth longer

than the first joint of the external branch ; the external branch extending a little

beyond the base of the caudal fins, ending by means of a dart-like point. The
thelateral caudal fin ending in a sharp point superiorly, and rounded inferiorly;

oblong, ovate, and pointed. The lateral edges of the middle plate
bearing a single row of long, sharp, and bent spines, contracted near the baseand the bottom of the fork, forming an acute angle ; prongs pointed.
internal fin"

Long, one inch.

Hab. Frith of Forth.

"

The whole body more robust than that
Description.
of the last-described species, and of an opake white colour,with a single row of black spots along the dorsal mesial
abdominal segments.
The first joint of theline of thepeduncle of the inferior antennae very short and almost
circular ; the two following are slender.
The scale whichfrom the superior part of the first joint above thetrue antenna is very strong at the base, and then tapers

arisesgradually to a fine point.
its inferioredge.

so as to give

A fringe of long hairs borders

These hairs are matted at the extremity

them the appearance of a second joint;

twoor three short strong spines arise from the extremity of theTHEMISTO BREVISPINOSA.

385

The third joint of the peduncle of the superior an-

scale.

The

tennae is considerably produced at its superior angle.
scale which arises beneaththe setaceous portions is strong,bent upwards at its extremity, and pointed, but not fringed.

The eyes are large" The rostrumThe

sharp.
fin isminutepointed;;isthe reticulated portion circular.

of considerable length, butinternal branchof thethe external one is long,;it

slender,notand finely

The

also fringed with very long hairs.

it is

is

subabdominal

third

in-

ternal branch of the fourth fin is longer than the first jointof theexternal branch ; anditisboth more strongly

ringed and more moveable than that of the last-described
species.

The external branch extends a little beyond thebase of the caudal

The

fins.

sixth or last joint of thisbranch suddenly contracts near the extremity to about halfitsoriginal thickness,external caudal finsending in a dart-like point. The
end in a sharp point inferiorly, andare rounded inferiorly ;and pointed

at theextremity.

at their inferior edgesralthe internal fins are oblong, oval,

These are both fringed

and at their extremities.

The late-edges of the middle plate armed with a single row ofstrong hookedItspines.

iscontracted near the base,and the angle formed by its bifurcationisvery acute;the extremities of the prongs are also sharp-pointed, andof a black colour."Amongst the numerous and interesting additions to ourknowledge of the smaller Crustacea, for which we are indebted to Mr. H. D. Goodsir, are thespecies of the family MYSID.E.

cimens of either of them,verbatim, Mr. Goodsir'sIthree foregoing

As I have never seen spe-have thought it best to give,own descriptions, although some-what diffuse, with copies of his figures.
c cTHEMISTO,'iS(!

I!HEVISl>INOSA.

In addition to the species included inIthis Appendix,

may refer to some which have been described in recent

periodical

publications,

from

the

observations

of

Mr.

Spence Bate, Mr, William Thompson of Weymouth,
and others. I have not transferred these descriptions tothiswork, partly because1am

not in

all

cases

quite

grounds on which the species havebeen considered as distinct, and because they may besatisfied

with

the

examined in their original place of publication.
At the same time I am anxious to express my gratificareadilytion at this accession of young intelligent naturalists inthis field of observation, from whose active and continued

labours the most valuable results may be anticipated.

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