48 CRAB, SHRIMP, AND L0B8TER LORE. 



the whole of the white, sAveet, oleaginous contents are 

 deftly scooped and clawed out. B. latro has a keen eye 

 to future wants as w^ell as to j^resent enjoyment ; he is 

 not only a gourmand, but pretty much of a utilitarian ; 

 so he employs his sharp, powerful claws in carding and 

 combing up the bundles of tangled coir, remaining after 

 his husk-splitting operation. This, by dint of much 

 clawing to and fro, at length becomes almost as fine as 

 tow, or the oakum used by shipwrights. When suffi- 

 ciently manipulated, he gathers together the result of his 

 labours, and transports it to the inmost recesses of his 

 subterranean stronghold beneath the roots ; a bed is 

 here made from it, on which our friend reclines ; and it 

 helps to form a convenient covering and protection for 

 him when debarred from the pleasures and delights of 

 Crab society during the uncomfortable process of shell- 

 changing. The crafty human inhabitants of these wave- 

 washed isles, are too well versed in the habits of our 

 friend, and too well aware of his provident habits, not 

 to avail themselves of the stores of well-preserved fibre 

 thus laid up ; advantage is therefore taken of the buried 

 store, which is unceremoniously dragged forth, col- 

 lected together, and made use of for caulking the seams 

 of their canoes, and many other useful purposes. 

 During the period of comparative torpidity usually 

 accompanying the shell-shifting process, the wants of 

 nature are wonderfully and wisely provided for. Tliese 



