DESCRIBED FROM PERSONAL OBSERVATION. 123 



bush of Chondrus Crispus that grew in my aqua- 

 rium. The fronds were attached to a piece of sand- 

 stone, placed uppermost upon a cluster of rock-work, 

 situated, as before mentioned, in the centre of the 

 vessel, and rising slightly above the level of the 

 water. Thinking he was planning means of escape, 

 I turned away for a few moments to procure a simple 

 instrument wherewith to carry him to a less elevated 

 position. On my return I saw him in the act of 

 backing out of his shell. It was a singular circum- 

 stance that I should have just risen from the perusal 

 of a talented author, who informed me that 'the crab 

 hitches one of its claws into some crack or fissure, 

 and from this point of resistance gives more power 

 in emerging and withdrawing itself from between the 

 carapace and the tail.' 



Certainly no statement could more inadequately 

 describe what I had witnessed in both of my crabs. 

 Not only was the whole operation performed with 

 perfect ease, but I am much inclined to believe with 

 a degree of pleasure. For a while one of my crabs 

 stood in juxtaposition to the shadow of its former 

 self, and rubbed his antennae and wee peeping eyes 

 as if awakening from a sleep. He had been lately, 

 there was no doubt, living in an oppressed state, and 

 might probably have surveyed things around him 

 somewhat darkly, but now all was bright and clear 

 again. On turning, the first object that caught his 

 awakened eye was his cast-off vestment, which he 



