THE LAND CRAB, CARDISOMA ARMATUM. 363 



clisregMrd for the crabs. But tliougii their agility afforded them 

 an easy escape when a lunge was made in their direction, tlxey ran 

 over and under tlie crabs witli a, recklessness which brought them 

 constantly into position to be seized by the claws, and this is 

 doubtless how their capture is effected. 



When devouring a mouse the crab begins with a leg or the 

 tail, touching it with the sette already alluded to and putting it 

 into position with the small claw. The whole mouse is gradually 

 drawn into the mouth and no part of it afterwards ejected. 



Water. — Fresh water for immersion was preferred to artificial 

 sea-water, even when this was diluted until only slightly brackish. 

 A tank of natural sea-water was provided, and they bathed in this 

 with evident pleasure, but by the next day they showed a 

 preference for fresh water. When a week later a tank of sea- 

 watei' was again introduced they treated it with indifference 



