The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-11-05
THE EDIBLE CRAB.
Hlstory OF a Little Crcsaure That 10 III
teemed Very GoDd Food.

teemed Very Good Food.
The life history OF the crab 10 extremely
interesting. The strange little animal that
escapes from the egg resembles in no re-
spect the parent crab. It's form is length
ened, ending in forked tail ; on the back
is long spine curving backward, and on
each side short spine directed outward.
The eyes are large but not projecting, and
the head is armed with a. mosquito-like
rostrum. This first stage of the crab is
called zoea. After remaining for certain
length of time in the zoea form, 1t comes
changed animal. Here the eyes are very
large and projecting, the body squarish,
without the long spine seen in the first
stage; it has eight perfect legs and two
claws; the tail has become short, and
turned under; and yet it has no resem-
is called the megalops or great-eyed stage.
When it again changes Its skin, the body
assumes a much broader shape; distinct
spine appears on each side, and the toll like
process is doubled up under the body.
When its skin again becomes too tight for
it, it at length comes forth small but per
fectly formed crab, Oalhnectes hastatts.
The crab is obliged to moult or cast of
Its shell many times during It's life. This
moulting appears to be an unpleasant or
deal to pass, for they often die during the
act. When we see that they are not only
obliged TO escape from the carapax or shell,
but also from the hard covering Of their
legs, delicate mouth parts, and even gullet
turning themselves inside out, as it were
1T is not surprising that they perish dur
ing the ordeal. The crab crawls up into
some secluded nook or cove in shallow
water 10 moult, out Of the way of its hard
shelled relatives, for the helpless, newly
moulted, or soft she'll crab" II found, is
devoured by them, as well as by several
species Of fishes.
Fortunately for the crab, the soft cover
ing hardens rapidly, and In few hours II
has new aud strong armor, and it then
goes fearlessIy out into the deeper water
among the eel grass.
Crab fishing is an amusing but not al
ways exciting sport. You simply row up
into some shallow cove or bay of the sea-
coast, which has muddy and grassy bot
tom, cast anchor, tie good sized piece of
meat on strong line, lower it to the bot
tom, and wait for bite. When you per-
ceive tug at your line, pull it up gently
until the crab is visible you must not at
mpt to lift it out Of the water by means Of
the line, for then the crab will quit It's hold
and escape, but with one hand quickly but
adroitly get the dip net under it, and with
dexterous sweep land in the boat. FIRE.
quently two or three crabs are caught on
the line at once.
Should you chance to 60 grabbing with a
party Of ladies', be extremely careful that
they do not overturn the basket Of lively
crabs about their feet, for II this happens
you will have your light skif almost or en-
tirely upset by the ladies' jumping up and
standing upon the seats, and you will get
your fingers pinched, perhaps until the
blood comes, az you recklessly endeayor to
catch the crabs as they wildly scamper
about the bottom Of the boat / have learn
ed this from experience.
The edible crab of our coast can always
be known by two long lateral spines OF the
carapax. The claws are blue above and
whitish beneath, and the carapax above il
Of dull olive or blush color. II Is called
the blue crab by the fishermen Of the
New England coast