THE CRAB. 335 



again return to the edge of the sea, where they make 

 a deposit of their spawn, two thirds of which is de- 

 voured hy different fish, whilst the eggs which escape 

 are hatched under the sand. 



The strength of the old ones seems by this time to 

 be exhausted ; but they make holes in the earth for the 

 purpose of hiding themselves whilst they cast their 

 shell, which they exclude from their body without any 

 apparent opening, and remain for five or six days in a 

 torpid kind of state. During that period they grow 

 very fat, and they are then in the highest perfection to 

 eat : in some countries the slaves are entirely fed upon 

 them ; and in Jamaica they are thought a most deli- 

 cious treat. 



THE SOLBIER-CRAB. 



The soldier-crab bears some resemblance to a lob- 

 ster, though it is not more than four inches in length : 

 the hinder part is covered with a rough skin ; and the 

 tail terminates in a point. Though Nature has denied 

 this little animal a callous defence against its enemies, 

 and the nippers alone are* covered with a shell, yet it 

 artfully contrives to supply the deficiency, by taking 

 possession of some deserted shell ; and remains in se- 

 curity, in this acquired habitation, until it grows too 

 large for its size, when it changes its abode for one 

 more commodious, which it frequently does three or 

 four times. ♦ 



The soldier-crab is a native of the West India 

 Islands, and like the former, makes an annual excur- 

 sion to the sea for the purpose of depositing its spawn 

 upon the shore, when it again returns to its abode upon 

 the mountains, where it remains until the following 

 year. 



