ABOUT CRABS, 193 



of the American edible crab {Lupa dicantha)^ Fig. 2. It will be noticed 

 that our species has a sharp, spiny extension each side of the carapace, 

 and a pair of oar-iike, swimming legs behind. It is a much more 

 active animal. 



All crustaceans exuviate, or cast their hard, shelly covering at 

 least once a year. It has been said quite graphically that "the new 

 integument is so soft and yielding, and the muscles in such a flaccid 

 condition, that the limbs are drawn tlirough the small openings at the 



Fig. 2. 



American Edible Crab. 



joints, much as a sack nearly filled with some fluid may be drawn 

 through an opening much smaller than the sack itself." It should not 

 be forgotten, however, that the neck in the great claws, or nippers, is 

 crossed by thin, knife-like blades, or plates of shell ; and it is certain 

 that in drawing out the thumbs they are cut into long shreds, which 

 doubtless, when drawn out, come together immediately and heal. 



As giving a peep at the private life of the European crabs, let us 

 skim off the cream of a paragraph from Gosse. The naturalist has 

 been exploring the rocks on the English coast, and says; 



"Peering into a hole I saw a fine large crab. I pulled him out, 

 and carried him home. There came out with him the claw of a crab 

 of similar size, but quite soft, which I supposed might have been 

 carried in there by my gentleman to eat. After I had got him out — 

 it was a male — I looked in, and saw another at the bottom of the hole. 

 Arrived at home, I found that I had left my pocket-knife at the mouth 

 of the crab-hole. I returned ; the crab had not moved. I drew it out. 

 But lo ! it was a soft crab, the shell being of the consistence of wet 

 parchment. It was a female, too, and had lost one claw. What, 

 then, are we to infer from this association ? Do the common crabs 

 live in pairs ? And does one keep guard at the mouth of the cavern, 

 while its consort is imdergoing its change of skin ? I have no doubt 

 that the claw of its mate was unintentionally torn off in its efforts to 

 effect some hold, when resisting my tugs in dragging him out." 



But it is in America, after all, that the habits of crabs at their 

 VOL. v. — 13 



