REPRODUCTION OF LOST LIMBS. 357 



the survivors in the fangs of the largest, nor could I 

 rescue it without the loss of several of its limbs. 



This unfortunate creature being shifted into another 

 vessel, immediately began to feed on some portions 

 of mussel with as much gusto as if nothing had hap- 

 pened ; nevertheless it proved to have undergone 

 extraordinary mutilation ; seven of its ten legs were 

 actually gone, for only the two claws and the posterior 

 right limb remained; these, however, were entire, 

 and the next day the animal seemed quite hearty. 

 Ninety-four days after this mutilation the victim cast 

 its shell, when, wonderful to relate ! the whole com- 

 plement of ten limbs was found again complete ; those 

 corresponding to the seven which had been deficient 

 being somewhat under the natural size, but in all 

 other respects as perfect and efficient as their prede- 

 cessors. 



The Edible Crab inhabits the whole of our coasts, 

 preferring those parts which are rocky, and its usual 

 retreats are amongst the holes in the rocks, whither 

 it generally retires, and is often to be taken in such 

 situations when the tide has retreated sufficiently to 

 render the localities accessible. Specimens so found 

 are, however, always small individuals, rarely more 

 than three inches in breadth ; the larger ones remain 

 farther out at sea, in deep water; they also bury 

 themselves in the sand, but always in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of their lurking-places. 



The food of this species, like that of most other 

 Crustacea, consists principally of animal matter, such 

 as dead fish and the like ; and it is exceedingly pro- 

 bable that the Crabs discover their prey rather by a 



