132 OUT OF DOORS. 



then was cunning enough to turn over some bits of sea- 

 weed that were lying on the shore, but never thought 

 of searching under the thick stem of the laminaria. 

 At last it gave up the pursuit, returned disconsolately 

 to the sea, shovelled itself under the sand, and I saw 

 it no more. Its intended victim then cautiously looked 

 from its place of shelter, just protruded a claw, then 

 a leg, then looked again, and at last came boldly forth 

 and went off to catch something on its own account. 



As a general rule, the larger the size of the crab the 

 more bellicose is its disposition. The smaller specimens 

 are usually discreet as well as valorous, and if surprised 

 either run away as fast as they can, or burrow into the 

 sand with all speed. But the great broad-shelled bully 

 of the rocks has had his own way so long that his first 

 impulse is always to show fight, and no sooner does he 

 catch sight of a foe than down goes his tail and up go 

 his claws, and there he sits, defiantly ready for instant 

 combat. It is as well to be cautious about handling 

 such a champion, for he can strike with his claws as 

 swiftly as a serpent darts its armed head, and should he 

 miss his aim the clash of the bony weapons is distinctly 

 audible. 



Be it well understood that a bite from such a creature 

 is no trifle, for the claws are enormously powerful, their 

 tips are sharply toothed, and they hold like the jaws of 

 a bull-dog. 



Even this belligerent animal is ofttimes fain to re- 



