Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1894 — Crabs that Reap and Mow. [ARTICLE]

Crabs that Reap and Mow.

Denver Republican. One kind of crab has been found in great numbers on table-lands 4,000 feet above the sea-level, and many miles away from any considerable body of water. This strange crab is a native of Hindustan, where, in one province, at least, and perhaps in others, the young grass swarms with them. They burrow in the ground. They can run with considerable swiftness, even when carrying in the long claws, which serve for both :arms and liaiids. a bundle of grass or young rice stalks as big, and sometimes even bigger, than themselves.. Nature is very generous with all her children, giving to each one just the powers and faculties which it needs to enable it to provide for all its wants. So this humble inhabitant of the table-lands of India is provided with a capital mowing machine in the shape of a pair of remarkably sharp and strong pincers. To harvest his abundant crops, the comicallooking creature assumes a sort of sitting posture, so that he can use his pincers to advantage. He works very rapidly, u.ingone pair of claws ito cut and another w bind • his sheaves at the same time. As soon as he has gathered all he can carry he scuttles off with it in a funny sidewise fashion, and with an air Of solemn importance that is a very amusing contrast to his clumsy motion and queer shape. But the human inhabitants of the district preferred by this queer little mower and reaper do not find him at all amusing. They say that one of these crabs will destroy a large amount of grass and rice in one year, which if allowed to reach perfection I would keep a laboring man in health ! and strength during that time.