BUTTERFLIES CRABS. 153 



clever entomologist that I should find any number of speci- 

 mens of a particular butterfly, which I wanted to procure, in 

 a certain stone quarry, or rather where a quarry had once 

 been, during the first and second week in August, but at no 

 other time and in no other situation. My friend was perfectly 

 right. Then and there, and then and there only, could I 

 find this particular butterfly. There are few districts of the 

 kingdom where a man of leisure would not find plenty to 

 interest and amuse him were he to direct his attention to the 

 peculiar habits and instincts of living animals from the 

 highest to the lowest, from the eagle to the insect which he 

 treads unconsciously under his feet every step he takes. 

 People little know by how many natural objects of beauty 

 and interest they are everywhere surrounded. How true is 

 a French saying that " L'oisivete est la mere de toutes les 

 vices ; " and how many cares and troubles would thousands 

 avoid did they employ their leisure hours in such pursuits 

 instead of letting idleness lead them into numberless evil 

 habits ! It is for this reason that I always like to see the 

 study of natural history encouraged in children. 



At the beginning of August I frequently find the crabs 

 (which frequent the rocks left exposed at low water) either 

 just about to change their shell, or just after having changed 

 it. Nothing can be more curious than the manner in 

 which they contrive to draw their legs and claws out of their 

 last year's covering, casting their entire shell perfectly 

 whole and unbroken. A tough skin seems to form over the 

 flesh, under the shell, and of the same colour, which appa- 

 rently hardens rapidly by exposure (when it is uncovered) 

 and this skin forms the new shell. 



The poor animals are quite helpless till this hardens, and 

 are at the mercy of their numerous enemies. The fishermen 

 say that whilst the female crab is in this weak state the 

 male constantly attends on and protects her. I have myself 

 often seen a crab in her still uuhardened shell, closely ac- 

 companied by a larger crab, whose shell was perfectly hard, 

 and who offered battle most valiantly when he and his spouse 

 were approached. 



During the herring fishing it frequently happens that some 

 strange and rarely seen monster of the sea gets either 

 entangled in the nets or is cast upon the shore, during his 

 pursuit of the shoals of smaller fish. Among others I have 

 more than once seen a most hideous large-headed brute of a 



