^0'^ THE PHILOSOPHY 



** that the cafli paid for pilchards exported has, at a medittmy 

 ^ annually amounted to the fum of L. 49532 : 10 ; 0/ 



Of the land- crab there are feveral fpecies. The migra- 

 tion of what is called the vio/et la?id-crab deferves fome notice^ 

 It inhabits the warmer regions of Europe : But its particular 

 refidence is in the tropical climates of Africa and America. 

 Land-crabs generally frequent the mountainous parts of the 

 country, which are, of courfe, moft remote from the fea. 

 They inhabit the hollows of old trees, the clefts of rocks, and 

 holes which they themfelves dig in the earth. They are ex- 

 tremely numerous. In the months of April and May, they 

 leave their retreats in the mountains, and march in millions' 

 to the fea-fliore. At this period the whole ground is cover- 

 ed with them ; and a man can hardly put down his foot 

 without treading on them*. The object of their aiigration 

 is to depolit their fpawn on the fea-fhore. In their progrefs 

 towards the fea, like the northern rats, the land-crabs move 

 hi a ftraight line. Even when a houfe intervenes, inftead 

 of deviating to the right or left, they attempt to fcrfle the 

 walls. But, when they meet with a river, they are obliged 

 to wind along the courfe of the ftream. In their migration 

 from the mountains, they obferve the greateft regularity and 

 commonly divide into three battalions or bodies. The firft 

 confifts of the ftrongeft and boldeft males, who, like pioneers, 

 march forward to clear the route, and to face the greatefb 

 dangers. The females, wdio form the main body, defcend 

 from the mountains in regular columns, which are fifty paces 

 broad, three miles long, and fo clofe that they almoft entire- 

 ly cover the ground. Three or four days afterwards, the 

 rear-guarti follows, which confifts of a ftraggling undifciplin- 

 ed troop of males and females. They travel chiefly during 

 the night ; but, if it rains by day, (for m-oifture facilitates 

 their motion), they proceed in their flow uniform manner. 

 * Voyage aus lUcs Francoifes par Labat, torn. %. page 221. 



