126 NARRATIVE OF THE AUTHOR^ EXPERIENCE. 



I have had opportunity of examining repeat the 

 statement. Mr. Ball, who writes from personal 

 observation, apparently confirms beyond a doubt, 

 the annual moult of Crustacea. This gentleman, 

 we learn, kept a Cray-fish alive for two years in a. 

 vase, and found that during each year its exuvium 

 was shed but once. 



It may readily be believed, with such a formidable 

 array of contrary evidence, that I offer my own 

 observations with modesty. But at the same time, I 

 feel justified in confidently stating that the moult of 

 the crab, (in its comparatively youthful state, at all 

 events), takes place not only once, but many times 

 during each year of its existence. M.y specimens 

 may, perhaps, be considered exceptions to the general 

 rule, but the facts I relate cannot by any possibility 

 admit of doubt. The cast-off shells lie before me as 

 I write. 



Here is a set of three belonging to the same 

 animal, exhibiting with marvellous exactness the 

 gradual development of a broken claw. In the 

 first the member appears very diminutive, in the 

 second it is nearly twice its size, while in the third 

 it has advanced to its natural form and bulk. To 

 my regret, I cannot state the exact period that 

 elapsed between each successive moult, but I am 

 confident that the trio were cast in the course of a 

 very few months. 



I may here take the liberty of informing the un- 



