278 



ARTICULATA. CRUSTACEA. 



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CALLING-CRAB (Gelasimus Platydactylus) ; and TREE-LOBSTER (Birgus 

 Lutro) in the distance. 



habit of holding the large claw in the air in front of 

 the body in a very ludicrous manner, as if beckoning 

 to some one, whence their name ; this probably is an 

 attitude of defence. They attack carrion in crowds, 

 disputing possession with the vultures ; they inha- 

 bit (at least one species, G. Pugillator, found in 

 America,) a burrow in winter, which is closed up 

 for three months, so that it has to be burst open 

 in spring. 



