57 ° 
THE CSAB. 
fitted to its ihape and fize : the increafe of its bulk, how- 
ever, foon forces it to exchange this for a different and 
more capacious habitation; again, therefore, it fallies 
forth in queft of a new manfion. Should it meet with 
another crab engaged in the fame purfuit, they fiecjuently 
are feen quarrelling for the fame fhell. This battle, pro 
arts etfocis , often proves obltinate, till the vanquilhed 
fneaks off ; and the empty apartment becomes at lad the 
prize of the victor. Of the houfe thus obtained, they 
are fo tenacious, that nothing but heat wiU difengage 
them from their retreat. When caught, they pinch 
forcibly, and utter a faint cry. 
Cancer curfor. This animal has obtained its name 
from the nimblenefs with which it runs. It is amphibi- 
ous, leaving the fea towards noon, and parading upon the 
fhore ; from which, however, it fpeedily makes its retreat 
on the approach of danger f. 
The common lobfter belongs to this genus, the fpecies 
of which are far more numerous than naturalifts have 
yet allowed. This animal is fo well known, that a de- 
icription of it can hardly be neceffary. It is found all 
around the Ihores of Britain , frequenting particularly the 
ltony ground, where it is caught by a creel or willow- 
work of a particular conftru£lion, that admits of its en- 
tering, but precludes any return* The bait by which it 
is enticed into this prifon is fifh guts. 
Every lobfter is fuppofed to be felf impregnated, and 
to exhibit an example of an hermaphrodite of the molt 
perfeft kind. The ovary where the fpawn is firil pro- 
duced, lies towards the tail, and is filled with that red 
fubftsnce, 
f Barbut, ubi fupra. 
