HK.xrn vr I! I 



/.int. illy. between tin- iiiinl pair of limbe, by tin- yielding of the ligament 

 tnnniiiL' tin- hinire 'f tin- thorax and carapace, which admits the separa- 

 tion of theso two portions and allows escape from within of the con 

 timil animal, clothed in its new inte^iiuei 



Thi- irapiui; edges or lips of the opening then close by their own 

 elasticity, while tin* old shell, emptied of its content*, appears to tin- 

 spectator as entire as ever. 



An absolute change has ensued, yet without any relation to thepro- 

 res* of mi'tainorphosis, in the proper acceptation of that character. 



: l>eliolds a new animal before him, distinguished by all 

 the parts of the individual with which he was previously so familiar. It 

 w alike perfect, the colours fresher and more vivid, either exactly the 

 same in quantity and proportion as originally, or perhaps under some 

 variety and modification. Hut the- creature is somewhat larger in this 

 its new garment than in the preceding shell, nothing can be more ad- 

 miralilc. 



After a brief interval of tranquillity this new animal moves, and 

 rests, and feeds as the old one ; I should rather say as when invested by 

 the old integument, for it is only the corertng, not the aclitnt crmtiirr 

 iteelf, which is regenerat 



It is not enough, however, that the change is effected once. It must 

 be repeated again and again, as often as additional increment require* 

 additional space for the contents. 



I cannot affirm at what period exuviation commences, or when it 

 ceases, how often the shell is generated, or whether throughout the con- 

 tinuance of life. At a very early age it becomes indispensable, and it is 

 frequent. But Inter shells .-rein to subsist very long, as is evident by the 

 quantity of animal and vegetable parasites investing them, doubtless the 

 growth of years. 



To follow the course of tliis remarkable process is extremely inte- 

 resting, and I acknowledge, that. U-iug wholly unexpected, the ! 

 of its occurrence I witiu^-eil it with great surprise. 



I had preserved a reddish middle sized specimen for seveni I mouth-, 

 which IH.X-.UI. tame ami familiar. P!:i'<- XXXIV : Tlie heat 



