. The animal creation: a popular introduction to zoology. Zoology. 212 CRUSTACEA. The Beckoning Crabs {Geladmus)* have one of the claws, some- times tleri^^bt, sometimes the left, much larger than the otheiN and th^ pincer^of the smaller forceps shaped like a spoon. These. Fig. 162.—third stage of siioke ckae. creatures live in burrows, which they excavate upon the sea-shore, and close the entrance by means of their large claw, tl'e tionate size of which is thus fovmd to be a wonderful and beautiful adaptation to their habits. Their burrows are cylmdnca and earned obUquelv into the
. The animal creation: a popular introduction to zoology. Zoology. 212 CRUSTACEA. The Beckoning Crabs {Geladmus)* have one of the claws, some- times tleri^^bt, sometimes the left, much larger than the otheiN and th^ pincer^of the smaller forceps shaped like a spoon. These. Fig. 162.—third stage of siioke ckae. creatures live in burrows, which they excavate upon the sea-shore, and close the entrance by means of their large claw, tl'e tionate size of which is thus fovmd to be a wonderful and beautiful adaptation to their habits. Their burrows are cylmdnca and earned obUquelv into the ground to a very considerable depth, ihey are met with in great numbers, placed close together, but are usuaUy ^habited each by a single individual. From these crabs having the Imbit of flourishing their large claw as if they -ere becko^^g to some one at a distance, they have received the name of CalLmg Crabs" (Cancer vocans). They pass the winter m their burrows, without stirring abroad, and only visit the sea to lay their eggs The Cocoa-nut Crab iBirgus) is said to climb the cocoa-nut palms for the sake of procuring their fruit; but Mr. Dai™ says tha it merely lives upon those that have fallen upon the ground. Its front pair of legs is terminated by very strong and heavy pincers, the last pair by forceps which are narrow, and of a weaker structure. \fter havin- selected a nut fit for its dinner, the crab begms its iperations by tearing off the husk, fibre by fibre, from tliat end whero the three holes are situated ; it then hammers upon one of them with its heavy claws, until an opening is , through which, by means of its hinder pincers, it extracts tlie white, albummous substance of tlie nut It inhabits deep burrows, where it accumulates sur- p isinc^ quantities of picked cocoa-nut husks, on which it rests as on abed" Its habits are diurnal, but every night it is said to pay a visit to the sea for the purpose of moistening its branchiae It is very good to
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Keywords: ., bookauthorjo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjectzoology
