122 CLASS CRUSTACEA. 



them die under it ; and those which survive, are in such 

 a weakly condition for some time, that they neither take 

 food, nor venture from their retreats. Immediately after 

 this change, they have not only the softness, but the 

 timidity of a worm. Every animal of the deep is then 

 a powerful enemy, which they can neither escape noi* 

 oppose; and this, in fact, is the time when the dog-fish, 

 the cod, and the ray, devour them by thousands. But 

 this state of weakness continues for a very short time ; 

 the animal, in less than two days, is seen to have the 

 skin that covers its body almost as hard as before ; its 

 appetite appears to increase ; and, strange to behold ! the 

 first object, it is said, that tempts its gluttony, is its own 

 stomach, which it was lately disengaged from. This it 

 devours with great eagerness. In about forty-eight 

 hours, in proportion to the animal's strength, the new 

 shell is perfectly formed, and as hard as that which was 

 but just thrown aside. Previous to the time of moulting 

 or changing their skin, a fiat chalky stone is found on 

 each side of the stomach ; this is believed to form a store 

 of earthy matter for the renewal of the shell. These 

 stones, popularly known as crabs eyes, were long highly 

 esteemed for their medicinal properties, but in reality 

 are not superior to so much chalk. 



When completely equipped in its new dress, the di- 

 mensions of the old shell being compared with those of 

 the new, it will be found the creature has increased in 

 size nearly one-third, and it appears wonderful how the 

 old shell coald have contained it. 



Many of the cold-blooded animals have the power of 

 reproducing a limb, or a portion of one, if by any acci- 

 dent it has been lost. This faculty of reproduction is 

 possessed by the Crab in great perfection ; but it has 



