CRUSTACEANS 5 3 



lands and often congregate in vast numbers. They 

 frequently penetrate far inland, only making an annual 

 pilgrimage to the sea for spawning purposes. On a certain 

 spring day the entire community, which may spend some 

 weeks previously in " mobilising," start on their trek. 

 Once the seaward march is begun nothing is allowed to 

 bar the progress of this terrifying cavalcade. All other 

 creatures give them the road, whilst houses or other 

 obstructions met with en route are unhesitatingly invaded. 

 The noise of the shells knocking together has been likened 

 to the rattle of a troop of cuirrassiers. Land Crabs are 

 much esteemed as food in various parts of the world. 



Nearly allied to the true Land Crabs is the genus known 

 as Grapsus. It is well represented all along the Mediter- 

 ranean shores and the coast of Africa, and the members 

 seem to be gradually invading the dry land, though never 

 going far from the sea. These crabs are extremely bold 

 and inquisitive, and a visitor sitting quietly on the shore 

 may have his pockets invaded and the contents overhauled. 



Closely allied to these progressive crabs is one very 

 remarkable form which never sets foot ashore. This is 

 the Floating Crab (Planes). Unlike its allies which excavate 

 burrows for themselves ashore, this species lives out its 

 entire life in mid-ocean, chiefly in the Sargasso Sea, where 

 it wanders amid the dense masses of the Gulf weed. 

 Specimens are sometimes but rarely carried to our south- 

 western shore. The crab may lay claim to fame since 

 according to legend Columbus heartened his crew by 

 assuring them the crab betokened the close proximity 

 of land, an unwitting deception which nevertheless had 

 the desired effect. 



