CRUSTACEA— CRAB. 



789 



a man's thumb, and pinches most powerfully. It is, as was said, without a 

 shell to any part except its nippers ; but what nature has denied to this ani- 

 mal, it takes care to supply by art ; and taking possession of the deserted 

 shell of some other animal, it resides in it, till, by growing too large for its 

 habitation, it is under a necessity of change. It is a native of the West 

 India Islands ; and like the former, it is seen every year descending from the 

 mountains to the seashore, to deposit its spawn, and to provide itself with 

 a new shell. This is a most bustling time with it, having so many things 

 to do; and, in fact, very busy it appears. It is very probable that its first 

 care is to provide for its offspring before it attends to its own wants ; and it 

 is thought, from the number of little shells which it is seen examining, that 

 it deposits its spawn in them, which thus is placed in perfect security till 

 the time of exclusion. 



It is very diverting to observe these animals Avhen changing the shell. 

 The little soldier is seen busily parading the shore along that line of pebbles 

 and shells which is formed by the extremest wave, still, however, dragging 

 its old incommodious habitation at its tail, unwilling to part with one shell, 

 even though a troublesome appendage, till it can find one more convenient. 

 It is seen stopping at one shell, turning it and passing it by ; going on to 

 another, contemplating that for a while, and then slipping its tail from its 

 old habitation to try on the new : this also is found to be inconvenient, and 

 it quickly returns to its old shell again. In this manner, it frequently 

 changes, till at last it finds one light, roomy, and commodious; to this it 

 adheres, though the shell be sometimes so large as to hide the body of the 

 animal, claws and all. 



Yet it is not only after many trials, but many combats also, that the 

 soldier is completely equipped ; for there is often a contest between two of 

 them for some well-looking, favorite shell for which they are rivals. They 

 both endeavor to take possession; they strike with their claws; they bite 

 each other, till the weakest is obliged to yield, by giving up the object of 

 dispute. It is then that the victor immediately takes possession, and pa- 

 rades in his new conquest three or four times backward and forward upon 

 the strand before his envious antagonist. 



When this animal is taken, it sends forth a feeble cry, endeavoring to 

 seize the enemy with its nippers ; which, if it fastens upon, it will sooner 

 die than quit the grasp. The wound is very painful, and not easily cured. 

 For this reason, and as it is not much esteemed for its flesh, it is generally 

 permitted to return to its old retreat to the mountains in safety. There it 

 continues till the necessity of changing once more, and the desire of produ- 

 cing an offspring, expose it to fresh dangers the year ensuing. 



