90 RAMBLESOF 



for a time with dogs. But the crabs would not eat 

 his poison, while sugar-cane was growing; the dogs 

 could only chase them into their holes ; and if, in 

 helpless irritation, he sometimes fired his gun at a 

 cluster of them, the shot only rattled over their 

 shells like hail against a window. It is truly desi- 

 rable that some summary mode of lessening their 

 number could be devised, and it is probable that this 

 will be best effected by poison, as it may be possible 

 to obtain a bait sufficiently attractive to ensnare 

 them. Species of this genus are found in various 

 parts of our country, more especially towards the 

 south. About Cape May, our friends may have ex- 

 cellent opportunities of testing the truth of what is 

 said of their swiftness and vigilance. 



The land-crab, which is common to many of the 

 West India Islands, is more generally known as the 

 Jamaica crab, because it has been most frequently 

 described from observation in that island. Wherever 

 found, they have all the habit of living, during great 

 part of the year, in the highlands, where they pass 

 the day-time concealed in huts, cavities, and under 

 stones, and come out at night for their food. They 

 are remarkable for collecting in vast bodies, and 

 marching annually to the sea-side, in order to depo- 

 sit their eggs in the sand; and this accomplished, 

 they return to their former abodes, if undisturbed. 

 They commence their march in the night, arid move 

 in the most direct line towards the destined point. 

 So obstinately do they pursue this route, that they 

 will not turn out of it for any obstacle that can pos- 



