Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-08-19
Lower Potomac Correspondence.
PRosrEcr HILL, onAnLrs Co., MD.

IhOnfECf l1llll, OiAhbES TO-, MD
Mr.. Editor AT the time of our last COM
munication soft crabs had just begun to put
in an appearance along the shores of the
river. They now abound and you should
certainly be on hand to discuss them with
the wide and liberal appreciation SO charac-
teristic of the Press when brought in con-
tact with subjects really entitled to common
dalton and praise. We consider the soft
crab one of the most remarkable things in
the world in their ability to withdraw them
selves from their hard shell which they are
constrained to do in order to grow in their
more youthful career and afterwards from
matter of habit. When they feel the dis
position coming over them to get out of their
old suit, they quietly seek sheltered spot in
shallow water along the shores of the creeks,
and sometimes in the edge of the sea weed
along the river shore. Here they come upon
the first flood Of the tide to position of
safety from the attacks of the voracious fish
that prey upon them in their helpless con-
dition, and during the progress of the tide
they manage, by settling in the sand and
keeping up a continuous humping, to COM
pletely excoriate or shed their entire cover
ing, leaving themselves in perfectly soft
and jellied condition. This excoriation
Is so complete and perfect that even the lit
tie fibrous, hairy feelers that project from the
eyes, and the eyes themselves are shed and
left in such perfect shape and form in the
empty covering that it is only by practice
and habit that the eye can discriminate be-
tween the crab and the she'd 1t is in this con-
dition that the soft crab is such famous
table delicacy, but it is only near the river
that IL Is to be met with in this state, for in
a few hours it reaches the condition known
as paper steH or about the texture of letter
no nor ,r annrOvinatinU that ctata and In
this condition it is generally found in the
refectories and restaurants of the cities
Whilst soft and though perfectly limp in
the hand 1t is entirely active and independ-
ent in the water, and can paddle off with
the most wonderful speed. They do not
however seek bold water until the shell be-
comes hard but remain in the sea-grass
where they are comparatively free from dan
ger Pondering over the wonders of nature
our attention is naturally diverted from the
soft crab to the sca-nettle or jelly fish that
abounds in these waters. This To many of
your amiable readers would prove great
curiosity. 1t is, or appears to be by casual
observation, a round flat mass of jelly about
the color of clear starch. and in size rang
ing from the diameter of nicke to that of
the largest sun-hower, 1t moves with the
tide, and though it does not appear TO swim,
the hundreds Of long strands that dropp from
1t are continually in motion and probably
enables it 10 maintain its position in the
water. The greatest wonder connected with
this animal is its power to sting in a manner
more severe than the sting of hornet. We
presume that it is by its electric power
that it is enabled TO emit the poison, for there
is no stinger or organic substance of any
sort To be discovered in the wound, and
there is not particle of organic fibre in the
fish itself apparently any more than there
is in u plate of clear starch. They abound
in the water at times tO "A degree that makes
it disagreeable to battle, and sometimes the
ebbing tide leaves them along the beach
mass Of Jelly fifty or hundred yards long
II is our good fortune To bc here during
the season that is generally chosen for the
conversational services OF the Episcopal
church in this parish, "William and Mary"
and which were held recently in Picawaxen
church. The convocation lasted two days,
and consisted OF morning and afternoon SER
vices 1t would be difficult to describe the
full effect of these occasions. Besides the
spiritual benefit and general religious good
they effect, they are the occasion of most de-
lightful and extended social reunion, bring
ing together old and young Of both sexes,
and winding up after the morning service
with choice collation. embracing all the
domestic and local delicaclcs served by the
hands of the beauty and grace of the county
upon impromptu tables spread under the
shade of the beautiful enclosure around the
church. We cannot refrain from the slight
allusion to the charming daughters of the
rector, the Rev John NJ Todd, and their
friend, Miss &c r., of Washington, and
the Misses &c and Ne daughters of r.
ID. s., Esq, Of Charles county, in connec-
ton with the cherished impression left upon
our heart by their presence on the occasion
RAMBLER.