DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0103
ACCOUNT OF THE LAND CRAB.
85
then, sally out by thousands from the stumps of hollow trees,
from the clefts of rocks, and from the holes which they dig
for themselves under the furface of the earth. At that time
the whole ground is covered with this band of adventurers,
inasmuch that a person cannot set his foot down without
treading upon them. The sea is their place of destination,
and to that they direct their march, with the utmost preci-
sion. No geometrician could- send them to their destined
station by a shorter course, for they neither turn to the right
nor left, whatever obstacles may intervene ; and even if they
meet with a, house, they will attempt to scale the walls, to
keep the unbroken tenor of their way-. But, though this be
a general order of their route, they, upon other occasions,
are obliged to conform to the face of, the country ; and if it
is intersected with rivers, they are then seen to wind along
the course of the stream.
The procession, sets forward from the mountains with the
regularity of an army under an experienced commander.
They are commonly divided into three battalions; of which
the first consists of. the strongest and boldest males, who,
like pioneers, march forward to clear the route, and face the
greatest dangers. They are often obliged to halt for want
of rain, and to go into the most convenient encampment till
the weather changes. The main body of the army is com-
posed of females, which never leave the mountains till the
rain is set in for some time, and then descend in. regular bat-
talia, being formed into columns of fifty paces broad, and
three miles deep, and so close that they almost cover the
ground. The rear guard follows three or four days after ;
a straggling undisciplined tribe, consisting of males and fe-
males, but not. so vigorous as the former. The night is«
their chief time of proceeding;, but if it rains by day, they
do not fail to profit by the occasion, and they continue to
move forward in their slow uniform manner. When the
sun shines hut upon the surface of the ground,, they make a
85
then, sally out by thousands from the stumps of hollow trees,
from the clefts of rocks, and from the holes which they dig
for themselves under the furface of the earth. At that time
the whole ground is covered with this band of adventurers,
inasmuch that a person cannot set his foot down without
treading upon them. The sea is their place of destination,
and to that they direct their march, with the utmost preci-
sion. No geometrician could- send them to their destined
station by a shorter course, for they neither turn to the right
nor left, whatever obstacles may intervene ; and even if they
meet with a, house, they will attempt to scale the walls, to
keep the unbroken tenor of their way-. But, though this be
a general order of their route, they, upon other occasions,
are obliged to conform to the face of, the country ; and if it
is intersected with rivers, they are then seen to wind along
the course of the stream.
The procession, sets forward from the mountains with the
regularity of an army under an experienced commander.
They are commonly divided into three battalions; of which
the first consists of. the strongest and boldest males, who,
like pioneers, march forward to clear the route, and face the
greatest dangers. They are often obliged to halt for want
of rain, and to go into the most convenient encampment till
the weather changes. The main body of the army is com-
posed of females, which never leave the mountains till the
rain is set in for some time, and then descend in. regular bat-
talia, being formed into columns of fifty paces broad, and
three miles deep, and so close that they almost cover the
ground. The rear guard follows three or four days after ;
a straggling undisciplined tribe, consisting of males and fe-
males, but not. so vigorous as the former. The night is«
their chief time of proceeding;, but if it rains by day, they
do not fail to profit by the occasion, and they continue to
move forward in their slow uniform manner. When the
sun shines hut upon the surface of the ground,, they make a