478 ARTICULATA. [Cuar. XIII. 
rest of the body), which is their peculiar characteristic, 
and which, from its beckoning gesture has suggested 
their popular name. They hurry to conceal themselves 
in the deep retreats which they hollow out in the banks 
that border the sea. 
Sand Crabs.—In the same localities, or a little farther 
inland, the Ocypode} burrows in the dry soil, making 
deep excavations, bringing up literally armfulls of sand ; 
which with a spring in the air, and employing its other 
limbs, it jerks far from its burrows, distributing it in 
a circle to the distance of several feet.2. So inconve- 
nient are the operations of these industrious pests that 
men are kept regularly employed at Colombo in filling 
up the holes formed by them on the surface of the 
Galle face. This, the only equestrian promenade of the 
capital, is so infested by these active little creatures 
that accidents often occur through horses stumbling in 
their troublesome excavations. 
Painted Crabs.— On the reef of rocks which lies to 
the south of the harbour at Colombo, the beautiful little 
painted crabs®, distinguished by dark red markings on a 
yellow ground, may be seen all day long running nimbly 
in the spray, and ascending and descending in security 
the almost perpendicular sides of the rocks which are 
washed by the waves. Paddling Crabs‘, with the hind 
pair of legs terminated by flattened plates to assist them 
in swimming, are brought up in the fishermen’s nets. 
Hermit Crabs take possession of the deserted shells of 
the univalves, and crawl in pursuit of garbage along 
the moist beach. Prawns and shrimps furnish deli- 
1 Ocypode ceratophthalmus, Pall. *% Grapsus strigosus, Herbst. 
2 Ann. Nat. Hist. April, 1852. Neptunus pelagicus, Linn.; N. 
Paper by Mr. Encar L. Layarp.  sanguinolentus, Herbst, &c. &e. 
