NOTES on the HABITS of some of the AUSTRALIAN
MALACOSTRACOUS CRUSTACEA.
By David G. Stead.
Of the habits of these animals hitherto very little has been known. In descriptions of any animals it always seems to me that an insight into their habits and mode of living is quite, or very nearly, as valuable as the scientific diagnosis; but this is the part that is almost invariably neglected. Indeed, many species have been named from old and faded specimens whose proper habitat was not known. Though this is not intended as a "descriptive" paper, I have thought it advisable to place the species in systematic order. Of course, the species enumerated form but a very small portion of those known, there being about 550 recorded species of the Malacostraca in Australia.
Order Podophthalmata.
Sub-order Brachyura.
Tribe Oxyrhyncha.
1. Halimus tumidus (Dana).—This species lives at a depth of from one to three feet below low-tide mark, where it is to be found on or under stones that are covered with seaweed. It is hardly possible to distinguish it unless it is in motion, as the carapace and ambulatory limbs are covered with seaweed of the same kind as that which surrounds it. The seaweed is held on to the Crab by means of the hooked hairs which cover it. Rather common in Port Jackson.
Tribe Cyclometopa.
2. Ozius truncatus (M.-Edw.).—This is a species which, as will be at once observed by its conformation, is adapted to living amongst loose stones in rocky situations. There are three wellmarked varieties; one, the commonest, being an uniform deep red, with black fingers; another a bluish-grey mottled variety; and the other white, which is only found of a small size.
