Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-01-07
arrs rraHrra ZOE oRABs.
A Java Species thas Sacrifices Its
ponsfert 90 1ss Palate.


ponsfort 90 nss Palate.
New york sun.
ssThey have on the coast of Java pc.
eular long tailed ape, and sand crab that |
grows to extraordinary size and possesses
great strength in its claws" said gentle
man who lived in Java years ago. '"Ihe
apes are particularly fond of the crabs,
which are very shy and wonderfully quick
Ia 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 a silver dollar
20 that OF our edible crabs, Their claws
are not large, but have n grip that is wise
like. The apes make daily raids on the
hannts of the crabs, and occasionally
succeed by creeping stealthily TO within
few feet OF group of them, in springing
upon them and capturing one before they
have acnmpered TO their holes. Usually,
however, the crabs ufo so wary that whlle
tho ape is still in the air during his spring
toward them, they have separated and
disappeared into the ground. The ape,
finding himself 100 slow to mike o capture,
then resort to u bit of strategy to secure a
dinner. His mode Of final capture intiicts
upon him pang of physical suffering
which ia frequently more than he can bear.
but his love for the crab MS a morsel of
food is 30 strong that he never hesitates
TO accept the personal discomfort which
It's capture involves, and usually bears il
with a stoicism which might inspire ad-
miration if it were not for its comical side.
"When the ape finds that he is foiled
in his effort to capture crab by spring
ing at group, ho backs himself upto O
hole into which one has disappeared
Sitting down, he thrusts his long tail into
the hole. The crab to punish such un
wonted instrusion seizes the end of th'
tail in his strong claws the moment il
approaches near enough. Anyone VIII
may have been 30 fortunate as to hid
himself in the bushes unobserved by tn
ape making the raid, will have q hare
time TO restrain his laughter when tn
critical moment of contact between tn
crabs claw and the apes tail is reached
There is look of oomical suspense on tn
apes face rs he thrusts his tail down th
hole. When the crab closes on the tai
the expression of suspense departs. Tn
ape gives an involuntary start, and the
settles back on his launches, while h
his teeth together with determine
air, and eventually springing forward
ont comes the tail from the hole with tn
crab dangling to it. Instantly the az
swishes his tail forward and brings til
crab TO the ground with force that stur
1t and causes it to drop its grip. With
stone the ape smashes the shell of til
crab, and is soon picking out the me;
and proceeding with his meal.
some day was watching a large az
fishing in this way for crabs. The ape
are as shy as the creatures they hunt (
persistently, and the least sound from Il
brush will send them scampering ava.
The ape l was watching made dism
failure of his attempt to spring on cra'
and at once proceeded to fish one out of
hole. He selected hole into which Iht
seen q very large crab disappear, and
anticipated fun. The apes tail had goi
its full length into the hole before b
face indicated that the crab had made Il
connection. Suddenly he gave sta
and yell. He bent his body near
double, and slapped his hands on h
knees and wagged his head, with his tee
closed tight and his lips drawn dow
while on his face was look of agony NJ
despair doubly intensified He ma
several attempts to withdraw his tail, b
fell back each time and howled as the or
drew it taut. Tears actually ran do'
the ludicrous face of the suffering al
and when he clapped both hands to !
forehead and swayed his body to and fl
like little old man tortured by the tooi
ache, bowling dismally the while, cou
no longer restrain myself and yelled W
laughter. This frightened the ape, a
he gave quick spring forward, Q
came the crab, and away went the 81
The crab hung to the tail, and as far a
could see maintained its hold, in spite
the way it was dashed and trailed as
ape flew over the ground, yelling at eve
jump. He disappearedin the thick bru
but how he divestd himself of the era
never knew"