. Coral and atolls: a history and description of the Keeling-Cocos Islands, with an account of their fauna and flora, and a discussion of the method of development and transformation of coral structures in general. Coral reefs and islands. THE LITTORAL AND MARINE FAUNA 317 than of coconut in any form, and it was difficult to persuade tliem to eat pieces of coconut when there was any animal food to be had. I have never seen the Birgus crab go near the water, nor did those that I had in my possession show any desire to Fig. The " Robber ; {Birgus latro.) get into the water th
. Coral and atolls: a history and description of the Keeling-Cocos Islands, with an account of their fauna and flora, and a discussion of the method of development and transformation of coral structures in general. Coral reefs and islands. THE LITTORAL AND MARINE FAUNA 317 than of coconut in any form, and it was difficult to persuade tliem to eat pieces of coconut when there was any animal food to be had. I have never seen the Birgus crab go near the water, nor did those that I had in my possession show any desire to Fig. The " Robber ; {Birgus latro.) get into the water that was provided for them ; in fact, the creature seems to prefer the driest parts of the islands for its home. The crab has a wonderful power of climbing, and can clamber up anything that affords the least foothold. It climbs trees with ease, and it could escape from any cage that I ever tried, except an old oil-drum, the metal sides of which afforded no foothold for its claws. This power of climbing trees it shares with the hermit crabs of the genus CcenoMta (native name, Umpan), of which two species—the one bright red, and the other dull blue— swarm everywhere in the atoll. These too are interesting creatures, and the way they will march and march—ever leaving behind them a curious sand-print of their trailing shell. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Jones, F. Wood (Frederic Wood), 1879-1954. London, Lovell Reeve & Co. , Ltd.
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Keywords: ., bookauthorjonesfwo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1912
