THE GREEN CRAB. 127 



the analogy, each is supplied with defensive and offensive 

 armour, and each is at mortal enmity with its com- 

 panions. 



As the waters roll towards the shore the crabs 

 advance with the waves, ever hovering on the extreme 

 verge, and hungrily watchful for their prey. The dash- 

 ing waves tumble them over in a most unceremonious 

 fashion, but without in the least disturbing their 

 equanimity, and it is amusing to see how cleverly they 

 guard themselves from being washed back into the sea 

 by sticking their hooked legs into the sand, like animated 

 grapnels. 



Before watching the habits of the creature, just let 

 us catch one, and examine the marvellous manner in 

 which its form is adapted for the life which it leads. 



The legs are so constructed that they permit their 

 owner to move backwards, forwards, or sideways with 

 equal ease, a capability which is of the greatest import- 

 ance in procuring food, as well as in escaping from 

 foes. The latter contingency is also beautifully provided 

 for by the shape of the body, which is so formed as to 

 enable the creature to burrow beneath the sand with 

 singular rapidity, leaving scarcely a trace of its presence. 



To watch the animal thus employed is an interesting 

 sight. The crab half erects itself on its tail, and scoops 

 up the sand with the edge, just as a child digs a hole 

 with its wooden spade. If the sand is wet, three or four 

 vigorous movements are sufficient to sink the crab below 

 the surface, when the next wave washes a quantity of 



