[Illustration:  CALLING CRAB OF CEYLON.]

In the bazaars several species of edible crabs are exposed for sale; and amongst the delicacies at the tables of Europeans, curries made from prawns and lobsters are the triumphs of the Ceylon cuisine.  Of these latter the fishermen sometimes exhibit specimens[1] of extraordinary dimensions and of a beautiful purple hue, variegated with white.  Along the level shore north and south of Colombo, and in no less profusion elsewhere, the nimble little Calling Crabs[2] scamper over the moist sands, carrying aloft the enormous hand (sometimes larger than the rest of the body), which is their peculiar characteristic, and which, from its beckoning gesture has suggested their popular name.  They hurry to conceal themselves in the deep retreats which they hollow out in the banks that border the sea.

[Footnote 1:  Palinurus ornatus, Fab.  P—­n. s.]

[Footnote 2:  Gelasimus tetragonon?  Edw.; G. annulipes?  Edw.; G.  Dussumieri?  Edw.]

Sand Crabs.—­In the same localities, or a little farther inland, the Ocypode[1] burrows in the dry soil, making deep excavations, bringing up literally armfulls of sand; which with a spring in the air, and employing its other limbs, it jerks far from its burrows, distributing it in a circle to the distance of several feet.[2] So inconvenient are the operations of these industrious pests that men are kept regularly employed at Colombo in filling up the holes formed by them on the surface of the Galle face.  This, the only equestrian promenade of the capital, is so infested by these active little creatures that accidents often occur through horses stumbling in their troublesome excavations.

[Footnote 1:  Ocypode ceratophthamus.  Pall.]

[Footnote 2:  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.  April, 1852.  Paper by Mr. EDGAR L. LAYARD.]

Painted Crabs.—­On the reef of rocks which lies to the south of the harbour at Colombo, the beautiful little painted crabs[1], distinguished by dark red markings on a yellow ground, may be seen all day long running nimbly in the spray, and ascending and descending in security the almost perpendicular sides of the rocks which are washed by the waves. Paddling Crabs[2], with the hind pair of legs terminated by flattened plates to assist them in swimming, are brought up in the fishermen’s nets. Hermit Crabs take possession of the deserted shells of the univalves, and crawl in pursuit of garbage along the moist beach.  Prawns and shrimps furnish delicacies for the breakfast table; and the delicate little pea crab, Pontonia inflata[3], recalls its Mediterranean congener[4], which attracted the attention of Aristotle, from taking up its habitation in the shell of the living pinna.

[Footnote 1:  Grapsus strigosus, Herbst.]

[Footnote 2:  Neptunus pelagicus, Linn.; N. sanguinolentus, Herbst, &c. &c.]