THE SOLDIER-CRAB 
209 
which they leave as it were quite whole, the place where 
they are opened on the belly being unseen. At that time 
they are quite naked, and almost without motion for six 
days together, when they become so fat as to be delicious 
lood. 1 hey have then under their stomachs four large 
white stones, which gradually decrease in proportion as the 
shell hardens, and when they come to perfection are not to 
be found. It is at that time that the animal is seen slowly 
making its way back ; and all this is most commonly pef- 
tormed in the space of six weeks. 1 
The descent of these creatures for such important pur- 
poses deserves our admiration; but there is an animal of 
the lobster kind that anually descends from its mountains 
111 V ke mammr, and for purposes still more important and 
various. Its descent is not only to produce an offspring, but 
to provide itself a covering ; not only to secure a family, 
but to furnish an house. The animal in question is the 
soldier-crab , which has some similitude to the lobster, if 
divested of its shell. It is usually about four inches long, 
tias no shell behind, but is covered down to the tail with a 
tough skin, terminating in a point. It is however armed with 
strong hard nippers before, like the lobster; and one of 
'em is as thick as a man’s thumb, and pinches most 
Powerfully. It is, as was said, without a shell to any part 
except its nippers ; but what Nature has denied this animal 
t takes care to supply by art; and taking possession of the 
aeserted shell of some other animal, it resides in it, till by 
growing too large for its habitation, it is under a necessity 
111 ,?. e - ^ is a native of the West India Islands ; and 
xe the former, it is seen every year descending from the 
mountains to the sea-shore, to deposit its spawn, and to 
I owde itself with anew shell. This is a most bustlino- 
me with it, having so many things to do : and, in facq 
ei y busy it appears. It is very probable that its first care 
to provide for its offspring before it attends to its own 
ants; and it is thought, from the number of little shells 
which it is seen examining, that it deposits its spawn in 
'em, which thus is placed in perfect security till the time 
or exclusion. 
b a ^ et i itiS , n0t ? nly I'Jf a f ter ma Sy trials, but many corn- 
's r ?f.’ that the soldler ls completely equipped; for there 
look'/ cor l test betwee n two of them for some well- 
end g aV0UV ' te she11 for . which they are rivals. They both 
thev^- 0111 ^ to , ta ke possession; they strike with their claws ; 
lte e ^ c “ other, till the weakest is obliged to yield, by 
y U jj 6 °kj ect dispute. It is then that . the victor 
