A TALK ABOUT CRABS 
105 
Not long since, more than 2,000 crabs were 
captured, marked, and liberated at a con¬ 
siderable distance from their home. Several 
hundreds of these were subsequently recaptured 
in their old haunts. 
Some brought from Yorkshire and set free 
in the sea off the South Lincolnshire coast 
were retaken, either in their original locality 
or near by; the distance covered during their 
journey in some cases being more than eighty 
miles. Another instance is recorded of a crab 
travelling from Scarborough to Boddin—close 
to Montrose in Scotland—a distance of about 
one hundred and fifteen miles. 
Another familiar species is the great or 
edible crab, which may readily be distinguished 
from the green crab by its more oblong shape, 
the brick-red tint of its shell, and the superior 
size of the adults. It has for long been esteemed 
as an item of diet, and we read that the Romans 
regarded its flesh as a great delicacy. 
Searchers along the seashore, however, 
must not expect to find one of these toothsome 
morsels, unless it be a very small one, for they 
always take care to remain in situations from 
whence the tide never recedes. 
Although the majority of crabs are unable 
to swim, and can only progress by walking 
along the ground with their characteristic 
