536 
CRAB. 
which march forward to clear the route, and face 
the greatest dangers. These are often obliged to 
halt for want of rain, and go into the most conve- 
nient encampment till the weather changes. The 
main body of the army is composed of females, 
which never leave the mountains till the rains have 
set in for some time, when they descend in regular 
order, being formed into columns of fifty paces 
broad, and three miles deep. Three or four days 
after this the rear-guard follows, a straggling un- 
disciplined tribe, consisting of males and females, 
but neither so robust nor so numerous as the for- 
mer. They chiefly proceed in the night, and halt 
during the heat of the day; however, if the weather 
proves wet they take advantage of it, and continue 
their route without interruption. When any thing 
alarms them, they march back in a confused dis- 
orderly manner, holding up their nippers, which 
they often clatter together in order to intimidate 
their enemies. They are disposed to be quarrel- 
some, and possess the cruel disposition which is 
common to some of the larger animals ; for if any 
one of the body is maimed in such a manner as to 
be incapable of proceeding, the rest immediately fall 
upon and devour it, after which they quietly pursue 
their march, till they reach the sea-side. 
After they have accomplished this fatiguing 
journey, which it sometimes costs them three 
months to do, and have arrived at their distant 
port, they prepare to cast their spawn ; and for this 
purpose go to the edge of the water, and suffer the 
