The Gocos-Nut Crab. 141 



first and afterwards, a great snapping with their 

 pincers." These crabs are said to be excellent 

 eating when properly prepared, and under the tail 

 of the larger ones there is a great mass of fat 

 which, when melted, sometimes yields as much as 

 a quart of limpid oil. 



The specimen now in the Zoo is, as we have 

 said, kept in a large glass case, the bottom of 

 which is covered for a considerable thickness with 

 moist sandy gravel, in which it delights to burrow, 

 making as deep a hole as possible to rest in. It 

 is fed on bananas, four or five of which are given 

 to it every evening, and all of which, as the 

 keeper informs us, have invariably disappeared 

 by the morning. It appears to attract but little 

 attention from the general visitors to the Insect- 

 house, but few of whom are apparently aware that 

 it is not only new to the collection, but also a rare 

 and very interesting animal. 



