Page:The History of the Island of Dominica.djvu/57

 fatal, by being imprudently eaten as oon as they were caught.

The land crabs are particularly detructive to ugar plantations, when they are numerous, as they are on ome etates near the ea; eating off the buds of the newly planted canes, of which they are very fond; as they are alo of the Indian corn jut prouted, of which they devour both blade and root. For this there is no remedy, but immediately replanting, and catching as many of them as you can; for to attempt to top up their holes, which are numerous, as thoe of the mole; or to poion them, would be vain.

There are no quadrupeds, natives of Dominica, except the Indian coney, which is nearly the ize of a rabbit when full grown. This animal is very ingular; its head, ears, eyes, noe, mouth, and teeth, being exactly like thoe of a rat; and its body and legs like thoe