160 CRUSTACEANS. 



with its new integument, that it was surprising how the body could have 

 been contained in the old one, which now remained quite entire. It is 

 represented as empty, Plate XXXV. fig. 2, back ; fig. 3, breast. 



In the distribution of colours, the new shell bore an intimate re- 

 semblance to the shell that had been forsaken ; but the dimensions were 

 so much enlarged, that I scarcely recollect any other instance of such 

 disparity. Plate XXXIV. fig. 4. The shell, figs. 2, 3, had subsisted 

 eighty -five days. After that represented, fig. 4, had subsisted 165 days, 

 the under surface had acquired a reddish tinge. Ignorant of the ultimate 

 size which the Cancer mcenas might reach, I indulged little prospect of 

 farther exuviation. However, after the long interval of 210 days, this 

 female cast its shell again in the night of May 24, when the new subject 

 appeared considerably larger than before, but not so much in proportion 

 as on the preceding change. Plate XXXVI. figs. 1, 2. The shell was 

 renovated in beautiful purity, the same variegation of white and green 

 being interspersed. But, within ten days, it had acquired a reddish tinge 

 throughout. 



It is remarkable that all the cast shelLs of this species should under- 

 go a speedy change of colour, whatever may have been its composition 

 or distribution while clothing the living creature. Between nine and 

 ten months after the change as above, the whole under surface of the 

 new shell was reddish, the inner edge of the forceps blue. The white 

 of the upper surface became more dingy ; it was overspread by the red : 

 and as the alteration advanced, both were delineated in the close of 

 April, that is, when the shell had subsisted eleven months from the last 

 change. Plate XXXVI. figs. 1, 2. Therefore, the subject was not de- 

 lineated until eleven months had elapsed after exuviation. 



Meanwhile, the annual remained tame, and continued feeding plenti- 

 fully.' On one occasion, previous to its present state, as in Plate XXXVI., 

 and while still clothed in the shell, Plate XXXV. figs. 2, 3, for we 

 must always recollect that the change is not of the animal, but only of 

 its integument, it unaccountably left its own capacious vessel, and get- 

 ting into another with two hermit crabs, devoured most part of one of 

 them. 



