THE LAND CRAB. 49 



cast its shell, and for that purpose retires to the burrow, which 

 has been well stocked with grass, leaves, and similar materials. 

 It then closes the entrance, and remains hidden until it has 

 throAvn off its old shell, and indued its new suit, which is then 

 very soft, being little but a membranous skin, traversed by mul- 

 titudinous vessels. At this time the crab is thought to be in 

 the best condition for the table. Calcareous matter is rapidly 

 deposited upon the membrane, and in process of time the new 

 shell becomes even harder and stronger than that which has 

 been rejected. 



Many species of Land Crab are known, some of which possess 

 rather curious habits. The Fighting Crab {Gelaswius bellator)^ 

 is a good example of them. This species possesses one very 

 large and one very little claw, so that it looks as if a small man 

 were gifted with one arm of Hercules and the other of Tom 

 Thumb. As it runs along, with the wonderful speed which 

 belongs to all its kin, it holds the large claw in the air, and nods 

 it continually, as beckoning to its pursuer. While so engaged 

 it has so absurd an aspect that it has earned the generic title 

 of Gelasimus, i.e. laughable. As may be conjectured from its 

 popular name, it is a very combative species, holding its fighting 

 claw across its body, just as an accomplished boxer holds his 

 arm, and biting with equal quickness and force. It is also a 

 burrower, and lives in pairs, the female being within, and the 

 male remaining on guard at the mouth of the hole, his great 

 fighting claw across the entrance. 



Another Land Crab, which has earned the generic title of 

 Ocypode, or Swift-footed, and is popularly called the Racer, 

 from its astonishing speed, is a native of Ceylon, where it exists 

 in such numbers that it becomes a terrible nuisance to the resi- 

 dents. Having no respect for the improvements of civilisation, 

 this crab persists in burrowing into the sandy roads, and is so 

 industrious at its excavations, that a staff of labourers is con- 

 stantly employed in filling up the buiTOws which these crabs 

 have made. Were not this precaution taken, there would be 

 many accidents to horsemen. 



The mode of excavation employed by this creature is rather 



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