122 THE PROCESS OF EXUVIATION. 



leg sheaths of the crab did not split open, and yet 

 the corresponding limbs were drawn out with the 

 greatest ease. Moreover, they did not appear in 

 view one by one, but in a cluster, as it were, and 

 packed close to the bent body of the crab. 



During the entire process the animal appeared to 

 use scarcely any exertion whatever, certainly not 

 half so much as any human being would exhibit in 

 throwing off the most trifling garment. In fact, the 

 crab seemed to swell painlessly, and gently roll or 

 glide out in a kind of ball. Until it had completely 

 escaped from its old shell, I was somewhat puzzled 

 to guess what shape it would eventually assume. 

 The eyes and antennae, so soon as they left their old 

 sheaths, commenced, together with the flabelke, to 

 work as usual, although as yet they were still inside 

 the exuvium. This circumstance was distinctly 

 visible by looking through the side of the half-cast 

 shell. 



It was a curious and extraordinary sight to see 

 the eyes gradually lose their brilliancy, and exhibit 

 the filmy, lack-lustre-like appearance of death, while 

 the act of exuviation was being accomplished. I 

 may add that the tumbler which held my little cap- 

 tive stood upon a table near a large window, and 

 that the sloughing operation was watched through a 

 powerful hand lens. 



On an after and well-remembered occasion, I saw 

 a moderate-sized Partane standing on the top of a 



