File:The common objects of the sea shore - including hints for an aquarium (1860) (14579467787).jpg

Identifier: commonobjectsofs00wood (find matches)
Title: The common objects of the sea shore : including hints for an aquarium
Year: 1860 (1860s)
Authors: Wood, J. G. (John George), 1827-1889 Sowerby, G. B. (George Brettingham), 1812-1884
Subjects: Marine animals Marine plants Aquariums
Publisher: London : Routledge, Warne & Routledge
Contributing Library: University of Pittsburgh Library System
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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he often escapes before his discoverer has quiterecovered his presence of mind. The former species,that try to escape in such a hurry, are generally the un-eatable green crab, although even it is often found of nosmall size; while the big pugnacious one is of the ediblekind, and, from his objection to capture, seems to knowit. Sometimes crabs of a very tolerable size may befound concealed in the crannies of the rocks, where theyare concealed by the rock itself, and by the fuci andlaminaria that hang about in great profusion. Bare-legged boys may be often seen creeping about among 112 EDIBLE CRAB. the rocks, and armed with a basket and an iron rodhooked at the end. This latter weapon is ever and anonthrust into the holes and clefts of the rock; and shouldan unfortunate crab have there concealed himself, he issoon hooked out of his retirement, and, if edible, con-signed to the basket. The great monsters that are brought to market aremostly caught in sunken baskets, much on the principle
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of the mousetrap, which permits an animal to enterwithout any difficulty, but opposes an effectual barrierto his egress. It is not always safe to grope for crabs,unless a companion be at hand, for a powerful crab hasactually been known to grasp with its claws the handof its opponent, and to hold him there without thepower of moving until a passer-by came to his assist-ance. Should such a circumstance occur, the bestplan for making the animal loosen its hold is said to beby detaching the claw that is unemployed. The young of the crab is quite unlike the adult ani-mal, and has been described under the name of Zoea. ZOBA—SWIMMING CRAB. 113 In this state it is a very quaint-looking creature, ispossessed of a long tail, two great eyes, something-like those of a divers helmet, and wears a spike on itsthroat nearly as long as its entire body. It is no marvelthat it has been treated of as a separate creature fromthe crab, for it bears about the same resemblance tothe crab that a caterpillar

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