THE SHORES OF BRITAIN. 9} 



by splitting it into two portions; but on examining 

 the cast-off claws, which are frequently met with, 

 no split or separation can be discovered. The ques- 

 tion is not yet satisfactorily solved; but I believe 

 that through the wasting away of the limbs from 

 sickness and fasting, they become so diminished in 

 size as to be drawn even through the narrow ori- 

 fices of the joints. Every part of the old shell 

 being thus thrown off, antennae, eyes, jaws, and 

 all, the animal fills its body with water, dilating 

 all the parts to a size much exceeding that of the 

 old shell, which the new skin, yet soft and flexible, 

 readily permits. It is necessary that this inflation 

 of the body should take place when newly freed, 

 b 3cause the skin immediately begins to grow rigid, 

 by lime being deposited in its substance secreted 

 within the body, and rapidly takes the texture and 

 consistence of the shell just rejected. The appetite 

 now returns, and abundance of food soon restores 

 the enlarged animal to its wonted vigour. 



The Crabs, of which there are many species, have 

 the shield of the chest very large and flat, and usually 

 wider than long : the plates of the belly are small, 

 and folded under the body out of sight. The great 

 pincers or claws have considerable muscular power, 

 and are covered, especially at the extremities, with 

 a shell of almost stony hardness. The Crab wields 

 these formidable weapons with much dexterity, and 

 if he obtains a grasp, holds his opponent with perse- 

 vering tenacity, so that he is not to be despised in 

 single combat, Mr, Mudie tells an amusing anec- 

 dote illustrative of this habit. "We remember,' 1 



