230 



CHAPTER XII. 



CRABS. 



CARCINUS M^NAS. — ITS HABITS. — META5I0EPH0SES. — CANCEE PAGUEUS. — 

 SOFT CEAB. OBSERVATIONS IN A TANK. — GALATHEA STEIGOSA. — FOE- 

 CELL ANA PLATYCHELES. — THE HEEMIT CEAB. — ITS PUGNACITY. — 

 CHOOSING A HOUSE. — CAUTION. — METAMOEPHOSES. 



The Carcinus manas, or Common SJwre Crah, is a rather 

 dangerous fellow to keep in an Aquarium, unless care be 

 taken that other small and delicate animals are not exposed 

 to his attacks. He is very pugnacious, and it is necessary 

 to remove him, if of any size, from smaller individuals of 

 his own species ; else he will amuse himself by breaking off 

 their claws, and nipping pieces out of their sides. He is 

 however rather afraid of good strong Anemones, generally 

 avoiding them. He is a good scavenger, routing among 

 the sand and pebbles, and picking out with his claws little 

 decaying scraps which would otherwise injure the water by 

 their decomposition. 



