THE CRAB. 56^ 



Genus X. — Cancer. '\the Crab, 



After the example of Linnceus^ we place the crab among 

 the infe6ls, becaufe it is poflefled of fome of the invariable 

 tharadters of this clafs of beings. All the eighty-feven 

 different fpecies of crabs are diftinguifhed in polTeffing 

 two members performing the office of hands, aqd ter- 

 minating each in a forceps. They have generally eight 

 feet, and two moveable eyes, proje£lIng from the head, 

 or placed upon a pedicle or ftalk. The two p,ilpi are 

 armed with claws ; the tail is articulated, and unarmed. 



In general, the crabs are aquatic animals, whofe red- 

 dence is in the fea : Some, however, are known to fre- 

 quent rivers ; and in America^ there are fome fpecies 

 wholly terreftrial ; thefe are commonly about four inches 

 long, and feed upon leaves. The liquid fubftance found 

 in their fliell cures the blifters that are raifed on the ikin 

 by the milky fubftance that exfudes from the mancellina 

 tree. The favagcs apply the fat, when melted down, aa 

 a fpecific againft the rheumatifmf. 



Cancer Bernardus, the St. Bernard or hermit crab. 

 This fpecies is fmall in fize, and femicruUaceous. As it 

 has no fcales to defend it, it takes up its dwelling in the 

 empty (hells found lying upon the lliore. Of thefe it 

 tries various kinds, till at length one is pitched upon, 



Vol. ni. 4 C fitted 



t Barbut's Gen. Inf, p. 358, 



