EDIBLE CRAB. Cancer 



many cases is almost invisible under its load. The upper figure in the illustration was 

 sketched from a specimen in the British Museum, where a number of oysters had affixed 

 themselves to the shell, and consequently had been borne about with the crab in all its 

 peregrinations. 



Here I mention, that the inland naturalist will find himself greatly aided by occasional 

 visits to the fishmongers' stalls, whither a variety of marine animals are sure to make theii 

 way. The general structure and anatomy of the crustacean can be admirably studied by 

 means of the crabs, lobsters, shrimps, prawns, and the hermit-crabs which so often inhabit 

 the periwinkle shells. Adhering to oysters, scallops, and the shells of old crustaceans, are 

 numbers of molluscoids and zoophytes, while the molluscs themselves can be well studied 

 by examining the oysters, scallops, mussels, whelks, and periwinkles. Indeed, no one 

 need deplore the lack of specimens as long as he has access to a poulterer's or a fish- 

 monger's, for he will be able to supply himself with subjects that will occupy his full 

 time in their investigation, and will fill up every hour of the longest life. 



Concerning some of the habits of this crab, Mr. Gosse has made the following 

 interesting observations : " At the water's edge, at the outer base of the Capstone, at low- 

 water spring-tide, I was looking about for actiniae, when, peering into a hole, I saw a fine 

 crab, not of the very largest, but still of very nice table dimensions. I poked in my arm 

 and took hold of him, and though he made vigorous efforts to hold fast the angles an<\ 

 notches of his cave with his sharp toes, I pulled him out and carried him home. I noticed 

 that there came out with him the claw of a crab of a similar size, but quite soft, which 

 I suppose might have been either carried in there by my gentleman to eat, or accidentally 

 washed in. 



