10-i HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



CHAPTER IV. 



BURROWING INVERTEBRATES. 



CRUSTACEA. 



The Land Crabs and their Habits. — The Violet Land Crab. — Its Burrows, its 

 Combativeness, and its pedestrian Powers. — The Fighting Crab, why so called. 

 — The Racer Crab of Ceylon. — Its Burrows, and Mode of carrying oft" the Soil. 

 — The Robber Crab. — Its Form and general Habits. — Food of the Robber Crab. 

 — A soft Bed and well-stocked Larder. — The Chelura, and its Ravages among 

 Timber. — The Gribble and its Kin. 



The reader will doubtless perceive that among such a multi- 

 tude of mammals and birds, each of which has some habitation, it 

 is impossible to give more than a selection of some of the more 

 remarkable examples. Although, therefore, there are many other 

 burrowing and semi-burrowing vertebrates, we must leave the 

 furred, feathered, and scaled tribes, and pass to those which oc- 

 cupy a lower place in the animal kingdom. 



Among the Crustacea, there are very many species which form 

 burrows, and which conceal themselves under the sand or mud. 

 As, however, these creatures can not be said to form their habita- 

 tions, and the burrows are mostly obliterated by the return of the 

 water, they can scarcely be reckoned among those which make 

 " homes without hands." Some, however, there are which are as 

 fully entitled to be ranked among the true burrowers as any crea- 

 ture which we have mentioned, digging a regular burrow in the 

 earth, residing in their subterranean home, issuing forth to pro- 

 cure food, and retiring to it when alarmed. These are the crea- 

 tures so widely famous as Land Crabs (Gecarcinus), respecting 

 which so many wonderful tales are told, some true, some false, 

 and many exaggerated. The Land Crabs are found in various 

 parts of the world, and are notable for very similar habits. They 

 all burrow in the ground, run with very great speed, bite with 

 marvelous severity, and associate in considerable numbers. As 

 a general fact, they are considered as great dainties, and when 

 properly prepared, may be ranked among the standing luxuries 

 of their country. 



As the Violet Land Crab of Jamaica (Gecarcinus ruricola), is 

 the most familiar of these creatures, we will take it as our first 



