claws, and small jointed legs. The colour varies in individuals, from a dark, glossy brown, to a reddish or yellowish line. Its tail is armed with a sting, which inflicts the wound, that is afterwards inflamed by a poisonous fluid emitted from two small orifices on each side the tip of the sting. This creature is very prolific, bringing forth a living progeny of fifty or sixty at a birth. r u he young ones are white at first, but shortly require the hue of their parents. It is generally found in neg lected places, hiding itself beneath stones, wood, &c. and sometimes is an unwelcome visitor in houses. its habits are cruel and ferocious; and its favourite food is the spider, which it dismembers withiout mercy, and tlieii feasts upon its vitals.

The genus Cancer, or Crab, presents a greau variety of species, differing from each other in shape, size, and colour ; and includes the coma mon Crab, the Lobster, the Crawfish, the Prawn, and the Shrimp. 111 one particular, liow ever, they all agree; they cast their shells from time to time. 'I'he animal, aware of what is

going to happen, retires to some place of secu

rite , till its new covering, which at first is little more than a membrane, is hardened into a shell. Some species are not provided with shells, but arc dependent for.a coat of defence,

on