THE LAND CKAB. 



105 



Fa s?\~ 



example of the burrowing Crustacea. This species, which is 

 sometimes called the Black Crab, and sometimes the Toulourou, 

 is exceedingly variable in its coloring, sometimes black, some- 

 times blue, and sometimes spotted. Whatever may be the color, 

 some tinge of blue is always to be found, so that the name of Vi- 

 olet Crab is the most appropriate of the three. Wherever the 

 Land Crab makes its home, the ground is filled with its burrows, 

 which are as thickly sown as those of a rabbit warren, and within 

 these habitations the crabs remain for the greater part of the day, 

 coming out at night to feed, but being always ready to scuttle 

 back at the least alarm. 



Should, however, their retreat be intercepted, they are as ready 

 to fight as to run, and have a curious habit of seizing the foe with 

 one of the large claws, and then shaking off the limb at its junc- 

 tion with the body. As the muscles of the claw retain their ten- 



