214 THE LIFE OF CRUSTACEA 



lodged in a fleshy mass formed by a colony of Sea- 

 amenones (Epizoanthus) , within which, when it is 

 cut open, may be found the remains of the shell 

 which the Hermit first inhabited. A further develop- 

 ment of the same habit is given by Paguropsis typica, 

 found in deep water in Indian seas, which does not 

 inhabit a shell at any time, but carries a fleshy 

 blanket formed by a colony of Anemones. 



In dredging off the British coasts, we often find 

 smooth rounded lumps of a Sponge (Suberites ficus), 

 generally yellowish-grey in colour, having a round 

 opening in which the claws of a small Hermit Crab 

 (Eupagurus cuanensis) may be seen. On cutting open 

 the Sponge, the body of the Hermit is seen to be 

 lodged in a spiral cavity, and at the apex may be 

 found the remains of a shell that has been corroded 

 away by the Sponge which settled on and replaced 

 it. Other species of Hermit Crabs constantly have 

 their shells covered with a horny crust formed by 

 Hydroid zoophytes (Hydractinia, etc.), and in this 

 case also the extension of the Hydroid colony beyond 

 the lip of the shell relieves the Hermit from the 

 necessity of so frequently changing to a larger shell 

 as it grows. 



A number of other animals are found associated 

 with Hermit Crabs, without, as far as we can see, 

 rendering any service in return for the house-room. 

 The Whelk-shells inhabited by Eupagurus bernhar- 

 dus (see Plate VII.) often contain one of the bristle- 



