CANCER. 
37 
selection is perhaps as much influenced by the facility of 
hiding or burrowing as by the supply of food.” 
Prom Mr. Gosse’^ f Naturalist's Rambles on the Devon- 
shire Coast/ p. 174, the following extract, of “A Crab at 
home,” is derived. “ At the water’s edge, at the outer base 
of the Capstone, at low-water spring tide, I w T as looking 
about for Actinias, when peering into a hole I saw a fine 
Crab, not of the very largest, but still of very nice table 
dimensions. I poked in my arm and took hold of him ; 
and though he made vigorous efforts to hold fast the angles 
and notches of his cave with his sharp toes, I pulled him 
out and carried him home. I noticed that there came out 
with him the claw of a crab of a similar size, but quite 
soft, which I supposed might have been either carried in 
there by my gentleman to eat, or accidentally washed in. 
After I had got him out, for it was a male, I looked in 
and saw another at the bottom of the hole, which appeared 
to me considerably smaller. I debated whether I should 
essay this one also, but reflected that I could only eat one 
at a supper, and that moderation in luxuries is becoming ; 
‘ so/ said I, f friend Crab, stay there till next time ; I may 
find you here again on some other auspicious morning/ 
When I arrived at home, however, I discovered that I had 
