322 BIRGUS LATRO. 



husking and breaking the nut, just as Mr. Liesk described it to Mr. 

 Darwin. They esteem as an especial luxury the fat which gives 

 the chief bulk to the abdomen of the crab. 



The habit of the Birgus, when surprised away from its burrow, 

 is not to turn round and run away, but to retreat in an orderly manner 

 with its front to the foe. Having reached some root or trunk of a 

 tree which protects in the rear its less perfectly armoured abdomen, 

 it makes a regular stand, waves one of the long second pair of claws 

 in the air, and courageously awaits the attack. The attitude of de- 

 fence is worthy of remark. The two large claws are held up close 

 together to defend the mouth and eyes, but with the pincers point- 

 ing downward — the posture reminding me of the guard for the 

 head and face in sword -exercise. One of the long second pair of 

 <jlaws is planted firmly on the ground to give the crab additional 

 support ; whilst the other claw is raised in the air and moved up 

 and down in a sparring fashion. The whole attitude of the Birgus, 

 when on the defensive, is one of dogged and determined resistance. 

 The big pincers that point downward are ready to seize anything 

 which touches the unprotected under surface of the abdomen ; but 

 on account of the position of these claws in front of the eyes, it can 

 only foresee attacks from above, and it therefore cannot ward off a 

 sudden thrust directed against the abdomen, although it may after- 

 wards inflict severe injuries on the aggressor. 



There seems to be some doubt whether the Birgus ascends the 

 tree to get the cocoa-nuts or whether it contents itself with those 

 that have fallen. Almost every author who refers to this crab 

 alludes to its climbing the tree, and it is also said to climb the pan- 

 danus. The testimony in support of its climbing powers is almost 

 conclusive, yet ]\Ir. Darwin was informed by Mr. Liesk that in 

 Keeling Atoll the Birgus lives only on the fallen cocoa-nuts, and 

 Mr. H. O. Forbes,^ who has recently visited this island, contirms 

 this statement. 



My readers, after perusing the foregoing remarks, will agree 

 with me that from the lack of actual observation on the part of the 

 authors, who describe the cocoa-nut eating habit of this crab, there 

 has been fair grounds for scepticism. Even now, we are but imper- 

 fectly acquainted with the mode of life of the Birgus, which is a 

 subject I would commend to the attention of residents in the Indian 

 and Pacific Oceans. 



1 "A Naturalist's Wanderings," etc. : London, 1885, p. 27. 



