(20/9. Tyerman and Bennett "Voyage" etc. volume
2 page 33.) To show the wonderful strength of the front pair of
pincers, I may mention that Captain Moresby confined one in a
strong tin box, which had held biscuits, the lid being secured with
wire; but the crab turned down the edges and escaped. In turning
down the edges it actually punched many small holes quite through
the tin!
I was a good deal surprised by finding two species of coral of the
genus Millepora (M. complanata and alcicornis), possessed of the
power of stinging. The stony branches or plates, when taken fresh
from the water, have a harsh feel and are not slimy, although
possessing a strong and disagreeable smell. The stinging property
seems to vary in different specimens: when a piece was pressed or
rubbed on the tender skin of the face or arm, a pricking sensation
was usually caused, which came on after the interval of a second,
and lasted only for a few minutes. One day, however, by merely
touching my face with one of the branches, pain was instantaneously
caused; it increased as usual after a few seconds, and remaining
sharp for some minutes, was perceptible for half an hour
afterwards.
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