Genus X. — Cancer. 1’he Crab, 
After the example of Linnceiis , we place the crab among 
the infetts, becaufe it is poffeffed of fome of the invariable 
charafters of this clafs of beings. All the eighty-fever* 
different fpecies of crabs are d ftinguifhed in poffeffing 
two members performing the office of hands, and ter- 
minating each in a forceps. They have generally eight 
feet, and two moveable eyes, projecting from the head, 
or placed upon a pedicle or (talk. The two palpi are 
armed with claws ; the tail is articulated, and unarmed. 
In general, the crabs are aquatic animals, whofe refi- 
dence is in the fea : Some, however, are known to fre- 
quent rivers ; and in America , there are fome fpecies 
wholly terreftrial ; thefe are commonly about four inches 
long, and feed upon leaves. The liquid fubftance found 
in their (bell cures the blitters that are railed on the fbin 
by the milky fubftance that exfudes from the mancellina 
tree. The favages apply the fat, when melted down, as 
a fpecific agaiuft the rheumatifmf. 
Cancer Bernardus , the St. Bernard or hermit crab. 
This fpecies is fmall in fize, and femicruftaceous. As it 
has no feales to defend it, it takes up its dwelling in the 
empty (hells found lying upon the fhore. Of thefe it 
tries various kinds, till at length one is pitched upon, 
Vol. III. 4 C fitted 
f Barbut’s Gen. Inf. p. 
