The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-05-22
A CRAB RACE.
CRABS THAT HAVE AS STRONG
A HOMING INSTINCT
AS PIGEONS.
BY c. +. HOLDEN.

Down on the southeast corner OF
England, not far from the town of
armouth. lived not many years ago
family which was mainly supported
by the boys, four or five of whom
aided their father in catching crabs
which sooner or later found their way
to the great markets of London.
The crab fisheries on the coast have
been followed for many years, and as
the catch IS uncertain the fishermen
often sail long distances up and down
the coast to localities which were bet
ter supplied. Various methods were
employed to catch the crustaceans
that swept along the bottom in vast
schools. In sOmc instances trans
were set over night, well baitcd. and
hauled in, in the morning, but the
favorltc method Of the boys was to
lind a place where crabs were very
plentiful and lower net formed of
iron barrel hoops. well baited. Into
this the clustaccans would crawl. and
when the trap was well filed the boys
would pull it up suddenly, always Sc
curing half Il dozen or more crabs.
So it happened that upon one oc-
caslhn the young fishermen. who each
used a net, had IA pleasant dispute as
to who made the biggest catch; so
they determined to mark the crabs on
The following day. This was done by
tying pieces of string on to the claws
or the crabs as they came in. Soon
the barrel WAS filed, and the wind be-
ing fair the luggcr sails were shaken
out and the crabbcrs bore away to-
ward home.
AS the little fleet moved along it
was oycrtaken by a storm, and the
boat containing the boys carcened so
suddenly when nearly IN. port that
she almost capSized, only Fighting as
the heavy barrel of crabs rolled over
into the sea, releasing the imprisoned
cruStacet.nS six or seven miles from
where they were caught few hours
previous.
The boats all made port, scudding
before the gale, and a few days later,
when the storm had subsidized, were
again on the grabbing grounds with
nets set. The first trap filled Vas
hauled in by tile old fshermln, and
as he took out the crabs gingcrly to
avoid their biting claws he uttered
an exclamation of amazcment.
What's the NATTER" asked one of
the boys.
"Matter." said the father. "Why,
out of ten crabs three have nccker-
chiefs on"
"Ncckerchiefs." repeated the son.
swell, it looks very like it," con.
tinued the old man, holding up a crab
that had Il piece Of white rag like a
badge Of office fastened around its big
arm.
why, that's one of our crabs that
we lost in the capsizing last week."
exclaimed the boy. We tied 'cm that
way, some white, some black, so that
we could see who caught the most"
81 Sec" said the old crabber. "But
Iherc'e another puzzle; you lost your
oad down by the head, five miles from
here; how did the crabs get back?"
"They must have walked or swami"
replied another boy.
"What. crab walk five miles in
Jhrce days and sideways at that.
lon't believe it" replied his father.
"Here's two more,' shouted a boy ;
who had been hauling in the net, hold 5
ng up a couple of crabs with strings
led about their biting claws.
"Wcll," said the old fisherman, 81
lever believed crabs could find their {
way home Il matter of five miles or ]
nore." q
In all probability few persons sus.
,ect that crabs have what Is called
he homing instinct that is so pro-
lounced IN pigeons, and can make
heir way along a muddy coast a dis
ancc of several miles; but crabs and
many animals travel faster than one
would suppose.