Land Crabs.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 419, 19 October 1889, Page 6

Land Crabs.

Land crabs are met with in the tropics in va?t numbers. Of these, the most common and best known to us is the Gecarcimis Tvricola or ' Countryman Crab,' once so abundant in the highlands of Jamaica, and still so formidable in Montserrat and other of the West Indian sugar- producing Islands. When the season for spawning arrives vast armies of them set out from the hills, and, undaunted by opposition, march in a direct line towards the sea-shore for the purpose of depositing their Ggg*. Having reached the destined limit ,'of their journey, they deposit their eggs below high-water mark in the sand, and recommence their toilsome march towards their upland retreats. On their seaward journey they are in full vigour and fine condition, and this is the time when they are caught in great numbers for the table. Their flesh, which is ot the purest whiteness, is highly esteemed, but, like that of all crustaceous animals, is rather difficult of digestion. On returning from the cnast they are exhausted, poor, and no longer fit for use. They then retire to their burrows, whore they exuviate, or shed their shells, a short time after which operation, and while in their soft state, they are considered by black connoisseurs to be a great delicacy. These crabs, which take up their abode in the vicinity of sugarcane fields, are very injurious to the planter, some of the species being particularly fond of the cane, the juice of which they suck and chiefly subsist upon. They also attack and destroy the growing shoots of the young plants. — From 'Cassell's Natural History.'