PAGURIDE, the Pagurians or hermit crabs, a tribe of the Crustacea, composed of a consider able number of species, the greater part of which are remarkable for the more or less complete soft ness of the abdomen, the want of symmetry in the appendages of this part of the body, the short ness of the two posterior pairs of feet, and many other characters. • Modern writers recognise several genera of this family. The Pagurus of Aristotle was not a hermit crab, but he describes three kinds of hermit crabs under the name Kapx1proy. They are termed Kappa:at; by Oppian, Elian, and Galen. A great resemblance exists among all the hermit crabs, Paguri, properly so called, not only in the details of their organization, but in their habits. The cephalo - thoracic portion of their body is shorter than the abdominal portion. They have stout claws and have a shield in front, but have a long,. soft, and utterly defenceless tail. They occupy empty natica and neritina shells.
Pagurus cristatus, Edws., New Zealand.
, P. deformis, Edws., Mauritius, Seychelles. P. punctulatus, Edws., Indian Ocean.
P. affinis, Edws., Ceylon.
P. sanguinolentus, Q. and G.
P. setifer, Ethos. New Holland.
P. elibanarius, Edws., AsiatiC Seas. P. erassimanns, Ethos., South Seas. P. tibioen, Edna., South Seas.
P. elegans, Q. and G., New Ireland. P. annulus, Edws., Mauritius.
P. gonagrus, Edw., China.
P. pilosus, Edna., New Zealand.
P. frontal* Q. and 0., New Holland. P. gamianus,•Edivs., Cape of Good Hope. P. miles, Edws., coasts of India.
P. custos, Edws., coasts of India. P. diaphanus, Edws., Oceanica.
P. hungarus, Fair., India, Naples.
Cenobita of Latreille is a genus of the Paguridm, and, in the opinion of M. Milne-Edwards, establishes the passage between the Paguri, properly so called, and Birgus. Cenobita rugosa, in length about three inches, is found in the Indian Ocean. There are three other species.—Eng. Cyc.; Edwards.