EXUVIATION AKRESTED. 129 



any means / could arrest the process then going on 

 before my eyes, while it was yet only half completed, 

 in order that others might also be enabled to witness 

 the marvellous act of exuviation. 



But how to carry out this scheme was the rub. 

 I knew that 



If 'twere done, then 'twere well it were done quickly. 



One minute passed, two minutes flew by ; the 

 crab would speedily complete his labours ; still was 

 I perplexed. 



To plump it into fresh water would, I knew, be 

 fatal to the animal, but not in such a speedy manner 

 as was desirable. Boiling water next suggested 

 itself, and doubtless would have answered the pur- 

 pose effectually, had a supply been near at hand at 

 the time, but such was not the case. I then thought 



of spirits. Ah ! capital idea Before the 



third minute had passed, I might be seen to 

 rush frantically to the sideboard, pour something 

 into a glass, then dart back to the tank, dive 

 down my trembling hand, bring up the poor un- 

 fortunate crab, and drop it into a fatal pool of 

 pure "Glenlivet." 



The animal appeared to die quickly, and was 

 next day transferred to a vessel filled with My- 

 thilated spirits. As it luckily turned out, the 

 whisky answered the intended purpose remarkably 



well. 



9 



