90 A HISTORY OF RECENT CRUSTACEA 
is frequently found in great numbers, either running 
actively about over the sand, or peering cautiously from 
their holes, which are often thickly scattered over con- 
siderable areas. These holes are mostly from half an inch 
to an inch in diameter, and a foot or more in depth, the 
upper part nearly perpendicular, becoming horizontal 
below, with a chamber at the end. Mr. Smith, by lying 
perfectly still for some time on the sand, succeeded in 
witnessing their mode of digging. In doing this they dug up 
pellets of moist sand, which they carry under the three 
anterior ambulatory legs that are on the rear side, climb- 
ing out of their burrows by means of the legs of the side 
in front, aided by the posterior leg of the other side. 
After arriving at the mouth of their burrows and taking 
a cautious survey of the landscape, they run quickly to 
the distance often of four or five feet from the burrow 
before dropping their load, using the same legs as before 
and carrying the dirt in the same manner. They then 
take another careful survey of the surroundings, run nimbly 
back to the hole, and after again turning their pedunculated 
eyes in every direction, suddenly disappear, soon to reappear 
with another load. They work in this way both in the 
night and in the brightest sunshine, whenever the tide is 
out and the weather is suitable. In coming out or going 
into their burrows either side may go in advance, but the 
male more commonly comes out with the large claw for- 
ward. According to Mr. Smith’s observations this species 
is a vegetarian, feeding upon the minute algz which grow 
upon the moist sand. In feeding, the males use only the 
small claw with which they pick up the bits of alg very 
daintily ; the females use indifferently either of their small 
claws for this purpose. They always swallow more or less 
sand with their food. Mr. Smith also saw these crabs 
engaged in scraping up the surface of the sand where 
covered with their favourite algze, which they formed into 
pellets and carried into their holes, in the same way that 
they bring sand out, doubtless stowing it until needed for 
food, for he often found large quantities stored in the 
terminal chamber.’ 
