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confpicuous, and they are very prolific 5 but I could 
procure no certain Account of their Way of Coupling, 
nor in what Time they attained to full Growth. 
Once a Year, like the Lobfter, they lofc or call: 
their Shells. Again!! this extraordinary Change, they 
choofe a clofe and well-fecured Retreat in the Cavities 
of Rocks, and under great Stones : There they creep 
in, and wait, until, by degrees, the Parts are difen- 
gaged ; which is effected by withdrawing their Legs 
from their old Shells, leaving them, and the upper 
Part of their Body -Shell behind. 
In this naked State they make a very odd Appear- 
ance, being an ill-fhapen Lump of Jelly-like Subftance, 
which gradually hardens into a Shell a Size larger 
than the old one : For this is the Way of Growth 
appointed for this Animal, and others of the crufta- 
ceous Species. Thefe Hints I collected from People 
of good Character, whofe Employ was always amongft 
them. 
But now I lhall relate fomething to this Society 
more wonderful, of my own Knowledge, which I 
hope may be worthy their Attention, being one of 
the mod furprifing Phenomena in Nature ; which is. 
That this large Species of Crab has a Po>ver in itfelf 
voluntarily to crack and break its own Legs or Claws, 
and drop them off. 
The Reproduction of the Legs of Craw-fifh has 
been mention’d in the Hijlory of the Royal Academy 
of Sciences, with fome juft Remarks about the Growth 
of thefe Creatures Shells; but I don’t know any 
Writer has taken notice of this ftrange Event of the 
Crab. 
Mr. 
