206 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
are caught in wicker traps, in which is tied a fish to 
bait them. 
97. The traps are so constructed as to admit the 
Lobster, but not suffer him to escape ; and by means 
of a stone weight they are sunk unon the reefs, and 
their place is marked by a buoy. 
THE CRAB. 
98. The common Crab is found on all our shores, 
and lurks and burrows under the sand. It changes 
its shell once a year, and while it is performing this 
operation, it retires among the cavities of rocks. 
99. The Crab is an exceedingly quarrelsome ani- 
mal, and, when it has seized on its antagonist, it is 
not easily compelled to forego its hold. 
100. In this situation, the captive has no resource 
but to relinquish the limb, and nature has provided 
it with the power of accomplishing this in a very 
curious manner. 
101. It stretches the claw out steadily, then sud- 
denly gives it a gentle crack, and the wounded limb 
drops off, not, as we might be led to infer from rea- 
soning, at the joint, but in the smoothest part. 
How are Lobsters taken ? 
Where is the Crab found ? What is its character ? How does 
the wounded Crab escape from its antagonist 1 
