88 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



all burrow in the ground, run with very great speed, bite with 

 nian'ellous severity, and associate in considerable numbers. As 

 a general fact, they are considered as great dainties, and when 

 properly prepared, may be ranked among the standing luxuries 

 of their country. 



LAND CRAB. 



As the Violet Land Crab of Jamaica (Gecarcinus ruricola), is 

 the most familiar of these creatures, we will take it as our first 

 example of the burrowing crustacea. This species, which is 

 sometimes called the Black Crab, and sometimes the Toulourou, 

 is exceedingly variable in its colouring, sometimes black, some- 

 times blue, and sometimes spotted. Whatever may be the 

 colour, some tinge of blue is always to be found, so that the 

 name of Violet Crab is the most appropriate of the three. 

 Wherever the Land Crab makes its home, the ground is filled 



