HABITS OF PINNOTHERES. 379 



" In clouded deeps below, the Pinna hides, 

 And through the silent path obscurely glides ; 

 A stupid wretch, and void of thoughtful care, 

 He forms no bait, nor lays a tempting snare. 

 But the dull sluggard boasts a Crab his friend, 

 Whose busy eyes the coming prey attend. 

 One room contains them, and the partners dwell 

 Beneath the convex of one sloping shell ; 

 Deep in the watery waste the comrades rove, 

 And mutual interest binds their constant love ; 

 That wiser friend the lucky juncture tells, 

 When in the circuit of his gaping shells, 

 Fish, wandering, enter ; then the bearded guide 

 Warns the dull mate, and pricks his tender side ; 

 He knows the hint, nor at the treatment grieves, 

 But hugs the advantage and the pain forgives. 

 His closing shells the Pinna sudden joins, 

 And 'twixt the pressing sides his prey confines. 

 Thus fed by mutual aid, the friendly pair 

 Divide their gains, and all the plunder share." 



OPPIAN, Halieut. 



Whether the motives which actuate the Pinno- 

 theres are as friendly as above represented, we con- 

 sider to be rather more than doubtful ; but it certainly 

 does not appear that this animal rambles at large like 

 others of its restless fraternity ; on the contrary, it is 

 a constant inmate of some bivalve shell, dwelling 

 there in peace along with its owner. 



The body of this elegant little crab is nearly cir- 

 cular, and not above half an inch in diameter; its 

 two claws and eight locomotive limbs are rather 

 slender, and well-proportioned. Two red eyes in 

 front are placed considerably apart, and scarcely pro- 

 ject beyond the margin of the shell. The colour of 



