[ 41 3 
pable of moving, but lies at the bottom of the fea, 
between the rocks, until its new fhell acquires a dif- 
fident hardnefs and confidence, fit for its defence, 
and its limbs grow ftrong enough to bear its weight, 
and carry it about, to perform its neceffary functions ; 
whild the old fhell is left in two parts, that, which 
cover’d the body, in one, and that, which cover’d the 
bread and legs, in another. 
It happens fometimes, that the died hardens pre- 
maturely. In this cafe, the poor animal is made a pri- 
foner, being fo cramped, that he cannot difengage 
himfelf from his hiding-place, till found by the fidier- 
men, and fet at liberty by moving the dones from 
about him. 
It is furprifing to confider, how a creature can live 
long confined without any aliment, and yet increafe 
in its dimenfions. But that the crab will fubfid 
without a fenfible decay in the fifhermens pen-pots *, 
for the fpace of fome months, is very certain. 
The more healthy and thriving a crab is, the 
more frequently he cads his fhell. But, if he becomes 
fickly, and wading, the old died remains on him, 
until fuch time as he recovers drength and vigour to 
cad it. 
When the fidiermen take a crab, that is not in a 
good condition, they return it into the fea, and often 
mark it on the back with a diarp-pointed iron, or 
top of a knife ; and this mark not only remains on 
the old fhell, as long as it continues on, but is found 
in the fame manner imprefs’d or ferrated on the new 
F died ; 
• t T • r r 
* Thefe are cages in the fea, made with willow-twigs to keep 
the crabs in. 
