I may here assure my readers that the above dates may be confidently relied upon as correct, and also that each exuvium was produced by the same crab—one specimen only being in the tank during the whole period.
Since the foregoing was written, I have again been fortunate enough to have ocular demonstration of the phenomenon of exuviation, as occurring in a Cancer Pagurus, about as large as a moderate-sized walnut.
While watching this crab, it flashed across my mind that it would be a happy circumstance if by any means I could arrest the process then going on before my eyes, while it was yet only half completed, in order that others might also be enabled to witness the marvellous act of exuviation.
But how to carry out this scheme was the rub. I knew that—
'If 'twere done, then 'twere well it were done quickly.'
One minute passed,—two minutes flew by;—the crab would speedily complete his labours; still was I perplexed.
To plump it into fresh water would, I knew, be fatal to the animal, but not in such a speedy manner as was desirable. Boiling water next suggested itself, and doubtless would have answered the purpose effectually, had a supply been near at hand at the time, but such was not the case. I then thought of spirits. Ah! capital idea.... Before the third minute had passed, I might be seen to rush frantically to the sideboard, pour something into a glass, then dart back to the tank, dive down my trembling hand, bring up the poor unfortunate crab, and drop it into a fatal pool of pure "Glenlivet."
The animal appeared to die quickly, and was next day transferred to a vessel filled with Mythilated spirits. As it luckily turned out, the whisky answered the intended purpose remarkably well.
The preparation in question is, as far as I can discover, unique; at least I have neither read nor heard of another such existing in any private or public museum in the kingdom.[6]