THE animals of the Crab tribe live chiefly in the sea. They are, however, amphibious, living on land as well as in water. The common Crab, represented above, which is sometimes called the Black-Clawed or Eatable Crab, is valuable as an article of food, and is found in great quantities, and of various sizes, on the rocky coasts both of Europe and India. Many are brought to the London market from the coasts of Devonshire and Dorsetshire, as well as from other parts of the country. The several species of this creature are very numerous. Some Crabs weigh several pounds, others only a few grains.

The most remarkable circumstance in their history is the changing of their shells and broken claws at certain periods. At these times, until the new shell

is formed, they retire among the hollows of the rocks, and under large stones: and Dr. Darwin, on the authority of a friend who had been engaged in surveying the sea-coasts, says that a hard-shelled Crab always stands sentinel to prevent the sea-insects from injuring their companions in their defenceless state; and that, from the appearance of this sentinel, the fishermen know where to find the soft ones, which they use for bait in catching fish. He adds, that though the hard-shelled Crab, when he is on duty, advances boldly to meet the foe, and will with difficulty quit the field; yet at other times he shows great timidity, and is very expeditious in effecting his escape from his enemies. If often interrupted, or suddenly alarmed, he will, like the spider, pretend to be dead, and will watch an opportunity to sink himself into the sand, keeping only his eyes above ground.

Crabs are naturally quarrelsome, and frequently fight among themselves. Their claws are then terrible weapons, with which they lay hold of each other's legs: wherever they seize, it is difficult to make them give up their hold; and if a claw be lost in the combat, it will, ere long, be renewed from the joint at which it was broken off. A Crab, being irritated, seized one of its own small claws with a large one. The animal did not perceive that it was itself the aggressor, and exerted its strength, and soon cracked the shell of the small claw. Feeling itself wounded, it cast off the piece in the usual place, but continued its hold with the great claw a long time afterwards.

Crabs are very tenacious of life. It is said that they will live, confined in the pot or basket in which they have been caught, for months together, without any other food than that which is collected from the

sea-water.

THESE creatures live in the sea, and are found on most of the rocky coasts of Great Britain. They feed on small fish, and any animal matter they may find. Some are caught with the hand, but the greater number in pots. These are traps made of twigs, in the form of wire mouse-traps, and when properly baited, and placed, will be found to contain several lobsters. The Lobster-pots are fastened to a cord sunk in the sea, their place being marked by pieces of cork.

Under water the Lobster is able to run very swiftly on its legs or small claws; and if alarmed it can spring tail foremost to a surprising distance, almost as swiftly as a bird can fly. Large quantities of this favourite shell-fish are supplied, especially in the summer months, for the several markets

Like the rest of the crab tribe, Lobsters cast their shells once a year; and if a claw be lost, another claw will grow in its place. The pincers of one of the claws are furnished with knobs, and those of the other are sharper, and more in the form of a saw. With the former pincer the animal keeps hold of the stalks of sea-plants, and with the latter it cuts and minces its food.

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Paley, in his Natural Theology, (Chapter on Compensation,) speaking of the wonderful contrivance made for the renewal of the shell of the Lobster, says; How, then, was the growth of the Lobster to be provided for? Was room to be made for it in the old shell, or was it to be successively fitted with new ones? If a change of shell became necessary, how was the Lobster to extricate himself from his present confinement? How was he to uncase his buckler, or draw his legs out of his boots? The process which fishermen have observed to take place is as follows:-At certain seasons the shell of the Lobster grows soft; the animal swells its body; the seams open, and the claws burst at the joints. When the shell has thus become loose upon the body, the animal makes a second effort, and by a tremulous, spasmodic motion, casts it off. In this state the liberated but defenceless fish retires into holes in the rock. The released body now pushes its growth. In about eight-and-forty hours a fresh concretion of humour upon the surface, that is, a new shell, is formed, adapted in every part to the increased dimensions of the animal. This wonderful mutation is repeated every year."

"The

In another part of his work, this author says, shell of a Lobster's tail, in its articulations and overlappings, represents the jointed part of a coat of mail; or rather, which I believe to be the truth, a coat of mail is an imitation of a Lobster's shell."

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