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 \arge 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 
anew shell. This isa 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 when changing the shell. 
Tha 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 satety. 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. 
