64 THE SEASHORE 



And they seem to do so by means of those odd 

 little noses on the lower joints of their greater 

 feelers. 



PLATE XXI 



THE EDIBLE CRAB 



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Now let me tell you something about the 

 different kinds of crabs which you may find on 

 the shore. 



First of all, of course, there is the Edible Crab. 

 This is the crab which is so largely used for 

 food, and which you may see in any fishmonger's 

 shop. Sometimes it grows to a very great size, 

 and has claws so big and strong that if it were 

 to seize a man by the wrist he would find it 

 very difficult indeed to set himself free. You 

 will not find crabs as big as this among the 

 rocks, for these giant creatures always live in 

 rather deep water. But one often discovers a 

 crab four or five inches across hiding in a rock 

 pool, and even he is quite big and strong enough 

 to give one a very sharp nip. 



It is rather amusing to get one of these crabs 

 out on to the open sand, and then to stand just 

 in front of him. He will at once raise both his 

 great claws and hold them in readiness to strike 

 at you if you attempt to seize him. Then if you 

 walk slowly round and round him he will turn 



