Still others were swinging on slight branches of seaweed or turning cartwheels or indulging in similar antics.
Merla and the earth people watched the busy little creatures for some time before they were themselves observed, but finally Trot gave a laugh when one crab fell on its back and began frantically waving its legs to get right-side-up again.

At the sound of her laughter they all stopped their play and came toward the visitors in a flock, looking up at them with their bright eyes in a most comical way.
"Welcome home!" cried one as he turned a back somersault and knocked another crab over.
"What's the difference between a mermaid and a tadpole ?" asked another in a loud voice, and without a pause continued, "Why, one drops its tail and the other holds onto it.

Ha, ha! Ho, ho! Hee, hee!" "These," said Merla, "are the clown crabs.

They are very silly things, as you may already have discovered, but for a short time they are rather amusing.

One tires of them very soon." "They're funny," said Trot, laughing again.