THE LAND-CRAB. 121 



Although the lobster and the crab are exceedingly different 

 in figure, their propensities and habits have a great similarity ; 

 both kinds annually cast their shells. After losing the old shell, 

 and before a new one is formed, the animal is in a very uncom- 

 fortable and dangerous situation, exposed to the dog-fish, and a 

 multitude of other depredators. In this defenceless state, how 

 ever, they do not continue long, for the new covering is formed, 

 and completely hardened in little more than forty-eight hours. 

 These creatures are extremely fierce and voracious ; but it is 

 a singular circumstance in their nature, that when they chance 

 to lose a limb in their frequent combats, it is completely renew- 

 ed in the course of about three weeks. 



THE LAND-CRAB 



Is a very singular animal : it is found in some of the warmer 

 countries of Europe, and abounds in the tropical climates. This 

 animal comprises a variety of species, some of which are excel- 

 lent food, while others are unpalatable, and even poisonous 

 Some are a foot in breadth, and others not above an inch. They 

 admit also of great variety in their colours ; but the violet crab 

 of the Caribbee islands has attained the pre-eminence over the 

 whole tribe. 



This animal somewhat resembles two hands cut through the 

 middle and joined together; for each side has the appearance 

 of four fingers, and the two claws or nippers resemble the 

 thumbs. All the rest of the body is covered with a shell as thick 

 as a man's hand, and bunched in the middle, on the fore-part of 

 which are two eyes of the form of a gniin of barley, transparent 

 as crystal, and hard as horn. A little below is the mouth, which 

 contains two broad and sharp teeth, of an ivory whiteness, and 

 placed, not as in other animals crosswise, but in an opposite di- 

 rection, resembling a pair of scissors. With these teeth they can 

 easily cut leaves, fruit, and rotten wood, which constitute their 

 usual food. This singular creature takes so firm a hold with its 

 nippers, that it will lose its limb rather than its grasp ; and it is 

 often seen scampering away after leaving its claw, still holding 

 fist to its enemy. In fact, the loss of a leg or an arm, is a 

 trifling matter to the land-crab ; for a new one soon grows in 

 its place, and the animal is as perfect as before. 



This circumstance, however extraordinary it may appear, is 

 not the most wonderful part of the history of these singular crea- 

 tures. They reside in the mountainous parts of the country 

 where they live in a kind of regulated society, in this respect re- 

 sembling the beaver. From these inland recesses they descend 

 once a year in regular bodies, containing millions at a time, for 

 the purpose of depositing their spawn upon the shore. As they 



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