the setae on the carapace and legs are flexible. The crab then selects
choice bits of weed from its old shell and fastens them to itself by the
setae, which soon curl at the tips like the tendrils of a vine, and so
hold them firmly. The weeds and sponges, requiring no roots, but merely a
secure base, readily grow in their new position, and so cover their host
with a sheltering disguise, enabling it to sally forth in quest of fresh
loves and other adventures. I am sending the reprint with the original
description and figure, also a sketch of the crab with its weedy
garments. Much of the weed had become detached on its arrival here, which
is, perhaps, fortunate, since the sketch would otherwise have shown
merely a cluster of weeds." It could be well wished that the specimen had
retained the whole of its floral cloak, for then the sketch would have
shown its deceptive qualities in perfection. Masquerading as a spray of
seaweed, the crab eludes its enemies, the mask being of such high order
that even man, with his perceptions, does not penetrate it unless he
exercises his reasoning faculties. Because he knows that a spray of
seaweed is not endowed with independent movement, when it does walk about
he, at first, is as incredulous as was Macbeth when told of that "moving
grove" of Birman.




ETERNAL SUNSHINE



"North Queensland is my country. I love it. I live in it. I would die
for it."--DODD S. CLARKE.