CHAPTEE rV. 



BURROWING INVERTEBRATES. 



CKUSTACEA. 



The Land Ckabs and their habits — The Violet Land Crab— Its biiirows, its 

 combativeness, and its pedestrian powers — The Fighting Crab, why so called 

 — The Eaoek Csab of Ceylon — Its burrows and mode of carrying off the soQ — 

 The RoBBEB Cbab— Its form and general habits— Food of the Robber Crab— A 

 soft bed, and well-stocked larder — The Cheluba, and its ravages among timber 

 — The Geibble and its kin. 



The reader will doubtless perceive that among such a multitude 

 of mammals and birds, each of which has some habitation, it is 

 impossible to give more than a selection of some of the more 

 remarkable examples. Although, therefore, there are many other 

 burrowing and semi-burrowing vertebrates, we must leave the 

 furred, feathered, and scaled tribes, and pass to those which 

 occupy a lower place in the animal kingdom. 



Among the Crustacea, there are very many species which form 

 burrows, and which conceal themselves under the saud or mud. 

 As, however, these creatures cannot be said to form their habita- 

 tions, and the burrows are mostly obliterated by the return of the 

 water, they can scarcely be reckoned among those which make 

 " homes without hands." Some, however, there are which are as 

 fully entitled to be ranked among the true burrowers, as any crea- 

 ture which we have mentioned, digging a regular burrow in the 

 earth, residing in theu' subterranean home, issuing forth to pro- 

 cure food, and retiring to it when alarmed. These are the crea- 

 tures so widely famous as Land Ckabs (Gecarcimis), respecting 

 which so many wonderful tales are told, some true, some false, 

 and many exaggerated. The Land Crabs are found in various 

 jiarts of the world, and are notable for very similar habits. Tlipy 



