Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-11-07
The Land Crab Of Jamaica.

This crustacean is found i'm other
parts of the West Indian Islands besides
Jamaica i'm limited numbers. In the
latter island they roam i'm large num-
bers, furnishing food for many months
OF the year to mass of the population,
and truly they are delicious, as the
most fastidious epicure admits on the
first taste. They are in size about four
to six inches in length by three broad,
and weigh about eight ounces each.
They live in holes i'm the rocks in the
mountainous parts of the island, and at
certain seasons of the year (from March
to May collect i'm vast armies, and
march down to the sea-shore to wash
off the spawn. At this time they are
very fat, and filled with rich mass of
eggs, and are then in their primest con-
dition as food. They march straight
on, not turning out of their way for
any obstacle. If they meet house
they try to climb over it, and numbers
fall and are killed in the attempt. On
arriving at the seashore the females go
on to the beach, where the waves can
dash over them, and wash off the spawn,
which at that time has come through
the apron under the crab. As soon as
that is accomplished, they return to the
mountains, and are then quite thin and
unfit for food.
The spawn is thrown by the waves
on the beach, and Matched by the sun.
The young crabs are quite red, and be-
gin to travel towards the mountains as
soon as Matched. The road and ground
is perfectly covered with them. A per-
son walking will crush hundreds at
each step. They will come into the
dwelling houses, and have to be swept
out b. quarts at time. Chickens,
birds and pigs feast on them. They
will only travel after shower of rain
and while the ground is wet, hiding in
the holes under stones at other times
Travelling only in this manner they are
long in getting up to the mountains,
and grow to good size before they ar
rive there. Their food consists of roots
and leaves, but they will eat bananas,
corn and even carrion, if they come
across it. They shed their shells once
year, stopping up their holes before
doing so. In this stage they are quite
defenceless-not being able TO move un-
til the new shell gets hard. They are
very fat then, and if dug out make a
luscious dish. These crabs are of diff
ferent colors-some black, red and yell
low, and others spotted. Like oysters,
they are not eaten in the months that
have not the letter r. Some knack is
required in catching them, as they can
give good severe nip with their claws.
When they once lay hold they will
rather leave the claw than let 90. They
are caught by grasping them by the
back, so they cannot turn the claw to
nip. As they only come out by night,
they are hunted with torches. Some
negroes are expert I'm catching them,
often getting a barrel full in a few
hours. They are sold at two or three
for cent. They can be kept for long
time in cages, fed with corn, &C., and
used as required. These crabs could be
introduced into Florida. They would
thrive in the palmetto thickets, and
serve as a wholesome, delicious food for
our people. They are quite harmless
never injuring any erop-costing moth
ing in any way. but are a great addition
to the poor mans larder.