THE SHORES OF BRITAIN. 9% 
by splitting it into two portions; but on examining 
the cast-off claws, which are frequently met with, 
no split or separation can be discovered. The ques- 
tion is not yet satisfactorily solved; but I believe 
that through the wasting away of the limbs from 
sickness and fasting, they become so diminished in 
size as to be drawn even through the narrow ori- 
fices of the joints. Every part of the old shell 
being thus thrown off, antennz, eyes, jaws, and 
all, the animal fills its body with water, dilating 
all the parts to a size much exceeding that of the 
old shell, which the new skin, yet soft and flexible, 
readily permits. It is necessary that this inflation 
of the body should take place when newly freed, 
because the skin immediately begins to grow rigid, 
by lime being deposited in its substance secreted 
within the body, and rapidly takes the texture and 
consistence of the shell just rejected. The appetite 
now returns, and abundance of food soon restores 
the enlarged animal to its wonted vigour. 
The Crabs, of which there are many species, have 
the shield of the chest very large and flat, and usually 
wider than long: the plates of the belly are small, 
and folded under the body out of sight. The great 
pincers or claws have considerable muscular power, 
and are covered, especially at the extremities, with 
ashell of almost stony hardness. The Crab wields 
these formidable weapons with much dexterity, and 
if he obtains a grasp, holds his opponent with perse- 
vering tenacity, so that he is not to be despised in 
single combat. Mr, Mudie tells an amusing anec- 
dote illustrative of this habit. “We remember,” 
7 I 
