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only time when lobsters eat, is the most favour- 

 able time for this. It is then performed in four 

 or five days ; otherwise it takes up eight or nine 

 months. 



The common crab-fish has its abode from twetity to 

 forty fathom water. They herd together in distinct 

 tribes, and have their separate haunts for feeding and 

 breeding, and will not associate with their neigh- 

 bours. This has been tried by marking a crab, car. 

 rying it two or three miles, and leaving it among 

 other crabs. This crab has afterward found its way- 

 home, and been caught in its old abode. 



This creature too can break off its own limbs. If 

 when it is laid on its back, one of the outer joints 

 of a small leg be bruised, he shews uneasiness, by 

 moving it about. Afterward he holds it quite still, 

 in a direct and natural position, without touching any 

 part of the body, or of the other legs with it. Then 

 on a sudden with a gentle crack, the wounded part of 

 the leg drops off. If a hole be pierced in the great 

 leg, the effect will be the same ; and the large limb 

 is thrown off in the same manner, only with greater 

 violence. A mucus then overspreads the wound, 

 which presently stops the bleeding ; and a small leg 

 is by degrees produced, which gradually attains the 

 size of the former. Nature has given this singular 

 power to these creatures, for the preservation of their 

 lives in their frequent quarrels. In these, one crab 

 lays hold of the claw of another, and crushes it in 

 such a manner, that it would bleed to death, had it 

 not the power of giving up the limb., and healing the 

 wound. 



% 



How/ever different in figure the lobster and the 

 crab may seem, their manners are nearly the same. 

 Though without any warmth in their bodies, or even 

 red blood, they are wonderfully voracious. What* 

 ever they seize upon that has life, is sure to perish, 

 though never so well defended : they even dcf our each 



rJ 



