long after the rest of the family had gone to bed, 

 I was rewarded with what to me is a common but 

 an ever engaging sight. The shell of the crab be- 

 gan to split around the sides and across the seg- 

 ment of its reflexed belly where it joins the back 

 — positive proof that its apparent illness was only 

 the usual indisposition of all crustaceans prelimi- 

 nary to a molt. 



However, before proceeding further with the 

 curious operation wherein the crab was required 

 to accommodate its increasing size by casting off 

 its shell, I must point out that although molting is 

 a normal process, it is not attended without danger 

 to the individual. No period in the life of the crab 

 is more critical ; during this delicate process, death 

 frequently results. 



Despite the silt and fragments of seaweed which 

 served to mask Jim's back, he was clearly visible 

 through the glass sides of the tank. No doubt, in 

 his natural habitat he would have been inconspicu- 

 ous to his enemies passing above; but here at eye 

 level this adornment in no wise hid his actions 

 from view; only the top surface of the shell was 

 completely covered, the legs for the most part be- 

 ing bare. 



[229] 



