158 QUAEEELS AT MEALS. 



for a reason which I shall presently adduce. The mode 

 and the place of the Worm's appearance were the same 

 in every case, and it invariably glided to the Crab's 

 mouth between the two left foot-jaws. I was sur- 

 prised to observe what a cavern opened beneath the 

 pointed head of the Nereis when it seized the morsel, 

 and with what force comparatively large pieces were 

 torn off and swallowed, and how firmly the throat- 

 jaws held the piece when the latter would not yield. 

 Occasionally it was dragged quite away from the 

 Crab's jaws, and quickly carried into the recesses of 

 the shell ; sometimes in this case he put in one of 

 his claws and recovered his morsel ; at others he gave 

 a sudden start at missing his grasp, which frightened 

 the Worm and made it let go and retreat ; but some- 

 times the latter made good his foray, and enjoyed his 

 plunder in secret. 



The Worm is itself a striking and even handsome 

 animal ; and there is in its colours and their distri- 

 bution, — two bright white lines running through the 

 whole length on a light red ground, — a curious simi- 

 larity to the colouring of the Crab. 



I have reason to think that the partnership in ques- 

 tion is by no means casual or exceptional, but ordi- 

 nary, if not constant. A second Whelk-shell in my 

 Aquarium, surmounted also by a Parasitic Actinia, 

 but which has been deserted by the Soldier, retains 

 a Nereis as its tenant : and I know from experience, 

 as well as from the report of others, that this showy 

 Worm is usually found a co-occupant with the Soldier 

 of old shells. The fishermen of Weymouth prize this 

 Worm for bait more than any other ; and are so well 



