40 Life Beneath the Waves. 



now complete animal. In these several 

 metamorphoses we see portrayed in suc- 

 cession the peculiarities of three different 

 types, one rising above the other in struc- 

 ture. In the first stage the crab resembles 

 one of the least perfect Crustacea, such as 

 the Water-flea ; in the next, it assumes the 

 aspect of the lobster ; and finally puts on 

 the form of the most perfect animals of the 

 class." 



Another curious circumstance in con- 

 nexion with the edible, and other crabs, is 

 that, contrary to the general course of 

 nature, the shell does not expand in propor- 

 tion to the creature's growth, consequently 

 he is obliged from time to time to cast it off. 



It is very interesting to watch the crab 

 as he rids himself of the coat which has 

 become too small for him. I have seen the 

 whole proceeding many times. One crab in 



