312 SINGULAR CRUSTACEANS. 



Ocypodesin. many particulars, yet differ materially from them 

 in vivacity of movement. Like their swift-footed consimi- 

 lars, however, they form superficial burrows in the sandy 

 mudflats, into which they retreat in a clumsy, scrambling 

 manner, on the approach of danger. In many parts of 

 the Meia-co-shimahs I have ridden over many acres of 

 sandy mud, covered with these bright blue Crabs, and on 

 looking behind could perceive a dark straight line, made 

 by the passage of the horse, as he caused them to burrow 

 in the mud, in his progress onwards. They seem to 

 enjoy themselves just after the water has left the flats dry, 

 and appear then to be most on the alert in procuring 

 food. 



There is a species of Gelasimus allied to G. Chloroph- 

 thalmus (Edwards), with a bright orange foot-claw bigger 

 than its body, which inhabits burrows, formed among the 

 grass, in muddy places near the sea, and among the 

 poorer classes the Ocypode ceratophthalma is collected as 

 food. They dig them out of their deep sandy burrows 

 with great eagerness and diligence, by means simply of 

 their hands. I have seen them sometimes drive them 

 out by insinuating a long pliant twig into the winding 

 labyrinth of the crab, and so forcing its inmate to make 

 its appearance. I have known them also, where the 

 ground was hard, pour water into the holes, and so in- 

 undate the poor Ocypode. These people, by examining 

 certain marks, can tell whether the swift-footed inhabitant 

 is at home or abroad, and conduct their operations ac- 

 cordingly. 



On the flat sandy beaches of this group of islands, if 

 you take the trouble to turn over the stones which the 



