Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-07
CRABS ARMS AND LEGS.
Their Power OF Voluntary Amputation
Utilized by an Ingenious Old Gentleman.

A funny looking old gentleman, with blue
cotton umbrella under his arm and goggles to
match, stopped at q Washington fish stand yes
terday afternoon and attentively examined a
lot Of healthy crabs, evidently Just out of the
water, which were scrambling about in a shall
low box with the cracking noise peculiar to
this interesting crustacean under such circum-
stances. Selecting for particular notice the
biggest Of them all, the aged person deliber-
ately began to tickle it with his forefinger nail
on the second joint Of the left large claw, tax.
ing care at the same time to avoid being seized
by the rather formidable nippers. This he
continued for few seconds, when the claw
suddenly dropped of and the animal scram-
bled away for q short distance, out Of reach,
abandoned member and put it in his pocket.
Then he stepped around to the other side OF
the box and began to tickle the same crab Just
as before on the other claw; presently that fell
of likewise and was promptly pocketed. II
looked as though the old gentleman was going
but he was cut short at this point by the unex-
pected appearance Of the Ash man from behind
the door.
what yer doing2" the latter inquired.
Without exhibiting the slightest discomposure
or embarrassment the aged stranger waved po-
lite greeting to the proprietor with his UNI.
brella and put himself in the attitude OF
learned discourse evidently, rendered instinct
i've by scholastic habit.
my worthy friend" he said, II have just
been performing an experiment Of the utmost
interest illustrative of a curious physical func-
ton which, SO far as science is aware, s pos.
sessed by the crab alone among animals. II
your own leg 10 injured SO badly as to render
amputation necessary the operation must be
performed with o saw and knives Likewise
II. Al
be resorted to for getting rid Of the limb. The
crab is the solitary exception to this rule. II
it concludes that, for any reason, leg or arm
is no more desirable, it simply cuts of the
member by single effort Of its own will and
goes away without it. Catch o crab by the
not likely 70 escape otherwise, 1t will exert the
simple act Of yolition necessary and, dropping
the Imprisoned limb, 60 Oh rejoicing.
"Huh2'' said the fshman.
"Yes, my good man" went on the old gen.
tleman. "And, furthermore, this act Of volun.
tary amputation may be caused by simply
scratching or tickling the claw. The crab 4
doubtless annoyed by it and, being creature
naturally subject to fits Of i'll temper, the limb
is angrily dropped The amputation, which il
truly such and not . mere characterization Of
the joint. may also be induced By the applic.-
power to accomplish this curious feat depends
upon the central nervous system 10 proved by
the fact that whom the crustacean u rendered
insensibls by an Anssthstic or the nervous sys.
tenn injured the act Of amputation cannot be
performed. am very fond OF orsbs' legs my
SELF They are delicious eating"
''Indeed," replied the Ash man. "And %, you
shad-bellied old beat you come around 10 my
stand and tickle my crabs for supper Two
or three OF my customer have complained
lstsly that the crabs they bought Of me had
Lost their biz clawA suppose you hare besn
doing this thing right along"
PRAY be cain" interrupted The old gentle.
man, With dsprecatory wave Of the blns-eot
ton umbrella. ssYour speaking in This impolite
manner makes ne fear dat yon have no regard
for scisuoe nor tntsrsstin the wonders of physi.
olo0y. II q worth remembering, however
thai ne erab hes another great advantage ovei
ether aninalp---it san renew the legs and arms
% hoses By growing otherss although the ffssl
onss never ~ % s. . lasgs = ne esieinals.'
.wsll, I'd lAvs yep knoN. ny blooming old
fossil, tkna dent KEEP crabs On my stand long
enouGA ~ then - grow new arms md legs q
plAsc Of - ones yoa s1oals end Il lever oatol
yoa hAnS>ng ehegt here aonin III hama yes
ovee - ~ Yo1foo.r
knd - "a eopNeman, visAoAt vsnsurine ,
rsspouso. ihnEIe1 q, m1elseing 70 himself III
NJ "a funbllng With - two erab In g
- soeossa = . pesksk