57® THE CRAB. 



fitted to its fiiape and fize : the increafe of its bulk, how- 

 ever, foon forces it to exchange this for a different and 

 more capacious habitation ; again, therefore, it Tallies 

 forth in quefl: of a new manfion. Should it meet with 

 another crab engaged in the fame purfuit, they frequently 

 are feen quarrelling for the fame fhell. This battle, pro 

 arts etfocis, often proves obllinate, till the vanquiihed 

 fneaks off; and the empty apartment becomes at lad the 

 prize of the vi£lor. Of the houfe thus obtained, they 

 are fo tenacl&us, that nothing but heat will difengage 

 them from their retreat. When caught, they pinch 

 forcibly, and utter a faint cry. 



Cancer curjor. This animal has obtained its name 

 from the nimblcnefs with which it runs. It is amphibi- 

 ous, leaving the fea towards noon, and parading upon the 

 fhore J from which, however, it fpeedily makes its retreat 

 on the approach of danger f . 



The common lobfter belongs to this genus, the fpeeies 

 of which are far more numerous than naturalills have 

 yet allowed. This animal is fo well known, that a de- 

 fcription of it can hardly be neceffary. It is found all 

 arovmd the fhores of Britain^ frequenting particularly the 

 llony ground, where it is caught by a creel or willow- 

 work of a particular conftru6lion, that admits of its en- 

 tering, but precludes any return. The bait by which it 

 is enticed into this prifon is filli guts. 



Every lobfter is fuppofed to be felf impregnated, and 

 to exhibit an example of an hermaphrodite of the mod 

 perfe£l kind. The ovary where the fpawn is firft pro- 

 duced, lies towards the tail, and is filled with that red 



fubftance, 



I Barbut. abi fupra. 



