Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-12
APES PUSHING FOR cRABs.
A Java Species that Sacrifices Its Com
fort 20 It's PAlate-An Able-Bodied
Crab.


Crab.
Prom the Ne,S York Sun.
''They ve on the coast Of Java pc
culiar long-talled ape and a sand crab
that grows to extraordinary size and pos
sesses great strength in It's claws" said a
gentleman who lived in Java years ago.
1.-The apes are particularly fond Of the
crabs. which are very shy and wonderful
ly quick in their movements. They live
in deep holes in the sand, but spend much
OF their time on the outside Of their holes,
where they run and hop about. They range
In size from that of silver dollar to that
OF our edible crabs. Their claws are not
large, but have q grip that is Vselike'
The apes make daily raids on the haunts
OF the CRABS, and occasionally succeed
by creeping stealthily TO within a few
Of group Of them, in springing. upon
them and capturing one before they have
scanpered TO their holes. Usually, how
ever, the cFats are % wary that While tAe
ape is still in the dir during his spring TO-
ward them they have separated aud dis
appeared into the ground. The ape, md
ing himself too slow to make capture,
iHtl i6Hpl 70 w n Wv Va oAA obD=g W DNNNtN
dinner.
"His mode Of final capture infiicts upon
him pang OF physical suffering Whichis
frequently more than he can bear, but his
love for the crab as a mOrsel OF food IS 50
strong that he never hesitates 10 accept
the personal discomfort which its cap
ture involves, and usually bears 1t with
stoicism which might inspire admiration
II it were not for its comical side.
when the ape fuds that he is ioiled In
his effort to capture crab by springing
ut a group, he backs himself up TO hole
into which one has disappeared. Sitting
down, bee thrusts his long tail into the
hole. The crab, 10 punish such unwont-
ed intrusion, seizes the end Of the tail in
his strong claws the moment it approaches
near enough. ANY one who may have
been SO fortunate as 10 hide himself in the
bushes uuobserved by the ape making the
rad, will have a hard time to restrain his
laughter when the critical moment OF
contact between the crabs claw and the
apes tail is reached. There ia look OF
comical suspense on the apes face as he
thrusts his tail down into the hole. When
the crab closes on the tail the expression
of suspense departs. The ape gives an
Involuntary start, and then settles back
on his launches, while he closes his teeth
together with a determined air, and event
ually, springing forward, out comes the
tail from the hole, with the crab dangling
on it. Instantly The ape swishes his tail
forward and brings the crab to the ground
with force that stuns 1t and causes it to
drop its grip. With stone the ape
smashes the shell OF the Grab, and is soon
picking out the meat and proceeding with
Lis meal.
Zone day was watching a large ape
81 -. ~ TO- no
are as shy as the creatures they hunt so
persistently. and the least sound from the
brush will send them scampering away.
The ape | was watching made a dismal
failure of his attempt 10 spring on crab,
and at once proceeded to fish one out of a
hole. He selected IA hole into which had
seen very large crab disappear, and l
anticipated fun.
The apes tail had gone its full length
into the hole before his face indicated that
the crab had made TIE connection. Sud
denly he gave a start and veil. He bent
MS body nearly double, and slapped his
hands on his knees and wagged his head,
with his teeth closed tight and his lips
drawn down, while on his face was look
If agony and despair dOubly intensified.
He made several attempts 10 withdraw
his tail, but fell back each time and howl
ed as the crab drew it taut. Tears actu-
ally ran down the ludicrOus face of the
suffering ape, and when he clapped both
hands 10 his forehead and swayed his body
TO and fro like little old man tortured by
the toothache, bowling dismally the
while. / could no longer restrain ms self,
and yelled with laughter. This frightened
the ape and he gave quick spring for
ward. Out came the crab and away went
the ape. The crab hung TO the tail, and
az far as could see maintained its hold.
in spite Of the way it was dashed and
trailed as the ape flew over the ground,
Yelling at every Jump. He disappeared
in the thick brush, but how he Invested
himself of the crab never knew"