of molts is the same in the case of the male. Now 

 I have before me as I write, not only the dozen 

 crusts cast by Little Lena during the course of her 

 life — all of which are arranged in graduating 

 sequence from the first shell no larger overall than 

 the diameter of a pin-head, to the final sloughing 

 measuring more than two inches along the greatest 

 length of its carapace — but also a collection of 

 male shells representing the different stages of 

 growth. An examination of these latter molts dis- 

 closes that the abdomen of the male, from the time 

 of leaving the megalops form, assumes a shape 

 which remains unchanged the remainder of his life. 

 This shape is characteristic in all male crabs of 

 whatever species, and is roughly like that of an 

 inverted capital T [JL], when the animal is laid 

 upon its back and viewed from the rear. The hinge, 

 or line of attachment, is at the bottom, the broad 

 and horizontal base ; although normally held close 

 to the body, the vertical portion is free; it is a 

 narrow flap which rests in a sort of groove or recess 

 along the middle of the under side. 



When the female leaves the megalops stage, her 

 abdomen is broad at the base of attachment, but 

 instead of suddenly narrowing, it tapers more 



[261] 



