150 RENOVATION OF SHELL IN LAND-CRABS. 



preach the shore, in expectation of this annual sup- 

 ply of food, and countless millions of these eggs are 

 devoured by their rapacious enemies. Those that 

 escape the general destruction are hatched under the 

 sand ; and soon after multitudes of these young crabs 

 are seen travelling towards the mountains. The old 

 ones, by this time, are grown so lean and feeble, that 

 they are obliged to remain in the flat parts of the 

 country till they are more able to return : in this 

 state they retreat into holes, closing the entrance with 

 leaves and dirt, that they may be secured from the 

 air whilst they throw off their shells and gain new 

 ones. Dming this operation, they are quite naked, 

 and almost motionless. As soon as the new shell is 

 sufficiently hardened, the crab sets out on its return, 

 and having recovered its flesh, is at that time very 

 good eating.* 



It has been asserted, that when crabs have lost 

 their shells, the place of their retreat is frequently 

 guarded by a hard-shelled crab, who, at that time, 

 advances boldly to meet the foe, and will with diffi- 

 culty quit the field; yet shows great timidity on 

 other occasions, and has a wonderful speed in at- 

 tempting his escape ; but, if often interrupted, feigns 

 death in order to deceive his pursuer, whilst he 

 watches an opportunity to sink himself into the 

 * Encyclopaedia Britannica. 



