634 



THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



with them. They are double the size of our common toad, and are even said to attain, 

 with their outstretched hind legs, a foot's length, with a proportionate girth. Covered 

 with unsightly warts, and of a dull gray color, their aspect is repulsive, and when 

 excited, they eject a liquid which is very much feared by the natives. Their voice is 

 loud and disagreeable, while Guinea possesses, in the Breviceps gibbosus, a small toad 

 which is said to sing delightfully, " charming the swamps with their melodious notes." 



There is a very remarkable burrowing crustacean called the Robber Crab, (Page 

 580,) Birgus latro. The Robber Crab inhabits the islands of the Indian Ocean, and 

 is one of those Crustacea which are able to exist for a long time without visiting the 

 water, the gills being kept moist by means of a reservoir on each side of the cephalo- 

 thorax, in which the organs of respiration lie. Only once in twenty-four hours does 

 this remarkable crab visit the ocean, and in all probability enters the water for the 

 purpose of receiving the supply which preserves the gills in working order. While 

 walking, it presents a curious aspect, being lifted nearly a foot above the ground on 

 its two central pairs of legs; and if it be intercepted in its retreat, it brandishes its 

 formidable weapons, clattering them loudly, and always keeping its face towards the 

 enemy. The food of the Robber Crab is of a very peculiar nature, consisting chiefly, 

 if not entirely, of the cocoa-nut. According to Mr. Darwin, the crab seizes upon the 

 fallen cocoa-nuts, and with its enormous pincers tears away the outer covering, reducing 

 it to a mass of raveled threads. When the crab has freed the nut from the husk, it 

 introduces the small end of a claw into one of the little holes which are found at one 

 end of the cocoa nut, and by turning the claw backward and forward, as if it were a 

 brad-awl, the crab contrives to scoop out the soft substance of the nut. 



According to the observations of Messrs. Tyerman and Bennett, the well-known 

 missionaries to the South Seas, the Robber Crab has another method of getting at the 

 cocoa-nut, and displays an instinctive knowledge of political economy which is very 

 remarkable. *' These animals live under the coco<i-nut trees, and subsist upon the 

 fruit which they find upon the ground. With their powerful front claws they tear off 

 the fibrous husk ; afterward, inserting one of the sharp points of the same into a hole 

 at the end of the nut, they beat it with violence against a stone until it cracks ; the 

 shell is then easily pulled to pieces, and the precious fruit within devoured at leisure." 

 We are informed that if the long and delicate antennae of these robust creatures be 

 touched with oil, they instantly die. 



Tbey are not found on any of these islands except the small coral ones, of which 

 they are the principal occupants. The people here account them " delicious food." Mr. 

 Darwin mentions that, in the Seychelles and elsewhere, there is a species which is in 

 the habit of husking the nuts on the ground and then tapping one of the eyes with its 

 great claw, in order to reach the kernel. Its congener here ascends the cocoa- 

 nut trees, end having thrown down the nuts, husks them on the ground ; this opera- 

 tion performed, again ascends with the nuts, which he throws down, generally break- 

 ing them at the first attempt, but if not successful, repeating it till the object is attained. 



" The female differs from the male in having three flippers, well furnished with strong 

 borers, on the right side of the sac." When full grown, this crab is more than two 

 feet in length, and as may be seen by the illustration, is stoutly made in proportion to 

 its length. The color of the creature is very pale brown, with a decided tinge of 

 yellow. 



