OCYPGDE CRABS 215 



that each one has a burrow of its own. Though 

 they may sometimes be seen marching in battalions 

 across the sand, yet as a rule they stay close to 

 their burrows, methodically searching and sifting the 

 surrounding sand for any food that may have been 

 thrown up by the tide, and flying to their burrows 

 with headlong speed when alarmed. At first sight 

 one does not understand the necessity for so much 

 wariness, and for such a deep system of entrench- 

 ment, for the creatures seem to hold undisputed pos- 

 session of the entire shore ; but as a matter of fact 

 they are preyed upon all day long by Brahminy kites, 

 and when the jackals come out in the evening, by 

 them. Now, although each crab may on ordinary 

 peaceful occasions know its own home, yet when a 

 crowd of them are running for their lives they may 

 sometimes, one would think, act on the devil take the 

 hindmost principle and try to squeeze into the nearest 

 burrow. But, as ancient philosophers do report, things 

 may be done upon occasion which it is inexpedient 

 to make a habit of doing, and this seems to be one 

 of those things ; for if many crabs made a practice of 

 crowding into one small burrow they would certainly 

 run the risk of being suffocated, if not crushed to 

 death outright. It seems probable, therefore, that it 

 would be advantageous to the species as a whole if 

 the rights of property in burrows were rigidly respected, 

 and if each individual member possessed some means 



