334 APTERA. 
Lucy. And the eggs of frogs too, I 
suppose, mamma; for I have often heard 
of frog spawn ? 
Mother, Yes. About April the land 
crabs come forth from their retreats, and 
assemble in amazing numbers ; they com7 
monly divide themselves into three par- 
ties ; the foremost is composed of the 
males, which are the strongest ; the second, 
of the females; and the third consists of 
weak, and the stragglers. Thus they 
proceed towards the sea, and always con- 
trive to take the shortest and straightest 
line, tuiTiing neither to the right nor to 
the left. 
Lucy, But if a house, or wall, should 
stand in their way, what would they do 
then ? 
Mother, They would make every at- 
tempt to scale It J and would not deviate 
from their route, till it was evident that 
the obstacle was insurmountable. As they 
travel only during the cool of the night, 
and in showery and damp weather, they 
are a long time in reaching the shore. 
