Chap. XIII.] THE CALLING CRAB. 



477 



animal gently forwards. This Julus is harmless, and 

 may be handled with perfect impunity. Its food con- 

 sists chiefly of fruits and the roots and stems of suc- 

 culent vegetables, its jaws not being framed for any 

 more formidable purpose. Another and a very pretty 

 species *, quite as black, but with a bright crimson band 

 down the back, and the legs similarly tinted, is common 

 in the gardens about Colombo and throughout the 

 western province. 



Crustacea. — The seas around Ceylon abound with 

 marine articulata ; but a knowledge of the Crustacea of 

 the island is at present a desideratum; and with the 

 exception of the few commoner species that frequent 

 the shores, or are offered in the markets, we are literally 

 without information, excepting the little that can be 

 gleaned from already published systematic works. 



In the bazaars several species of edible crabs are ex- 

 posed for sale ; and amongst the delicacies at the tables 

 of Europeans, curries made from prawns and lobsters are 

 the triumphs of the Ceylon cuisine. Of these latter 

 the fishermen sometimes exhibit specimens 2 of extra- 



Calling Crabs 3 scamper over the moist sands, carrying 

 aloft the enormous hand (sometimes larger than the 



CALLING CRAB OF CEYLON, 



ordinary dimensions and of 

 a beautiful purple hue, 

 variegated with white. 

 Along the level shore north 

 and south of Colombo, and 

 in no less profusion else- 

 where, the nimble little 



1 Julus carnifex, Fab. 



2 Palinurus omatus, Fab. 



3 Gelasimus tetragonon ? Edw. ; 

 6r. annulipes 1 Edw. ; G. Dussu- 

 mieri ? Edw. 



P— n. s. 



