82 SEA FISH; 



contracts, closing the orifice. These losses are soon 

 restored by the formation of new claws, which shoot 

 out where the old ones are thrown off, which is always 

 at the joint above the injury. Several species of 

 crabs are to be found on our coasts, the most common 

 of which will be readily discovered by lifting loose 

 stones or masses of drift-weed. Forth darts a crab in 

 a state of great excitement and activity, with upraised 

 claws, ready to fight if needs be, but much preferring 

 retreat if practicable. These are generally found to 

 be the small green crab, uneatable, and of little use 

 except as bait for some kinds of shell-fish. There are 

 also several species of swimming crabs, which may 

 be distinguished by the hinder pair of legs being 

 flattened and oar-like at their extremities ; these are 

 of little interest to the fisherman except as a bait. 



Crabs and lobsters cast their shells annually, and 

 during the process seek out some deep cranny in 

 which they may rest secure until a new coat of mail 

 renders them capable of contending with their cross- 

 grained neighbours. 



Pair-sized crabs of the edible kind are often to be 

 obtained near low-water mark by searching for deep 

 crevices and clefts between the rocks and stones, in 

 which situations they will be found, and then with a 

 small iron hook at the end of a stick, mounted like a 

 gaff without the barb, extract the crab. Some little 

 dexterity is required to do this, as if not instantly 

 jsrked forth, he will so wedge himself into his hole by 



