162 TENANT-RIGHT. 



" houseless wanderer." The Whelk-shell which it 

 inhabited had been laid hold of by the sucking-feet of 

 a Sea-Urchin [Echinus miliaris)^ the Soldier having 

 bivouacked in -unconscious proximity to this adhesive 

 subject. The rest of the Urchin's feet were'firmly moored 

 to the solid rock ; so that when the Crab attempted to 

 walk, he found his home-shell immoveable. What was 

 to be done ? He was probably hungry after his re- 

 pose, and food must be sought. After vainly dragging 

 for a few minutes, he chose the alternative of exposure, 

 let go his posterior hold, slipped from the shell, and 

 wandered naked. Half a day he roamed in this de- 

 fenceless state, till, meeting with a large Whelk-shell 

 empty, he gladly popped in, and though the tenement 

 was inconveniently ample, kept possession, wisely 

 judging that inconvenience was preferable to danger. 



It is a doubtful point whether the Soldier is a 

 murderer and freebooter, like Ahab in Naboth's 

 vineyard, slaying before he takes possession, whenever 

 he happens to fancy a tenanted shell, or whether he 

 merely makes free with a house that he finds unoccu- 

 pied. Wishing to settle the point, I procured a living 

 Whelk of about the size to suit the Crab's necessity, 

 and put it into the tank, when the latter was in the 

 state of uneasiness described above. But, though they 

 were thus thrown into association for several days, the 

 Soldier never made the least assault upon the living 

 Mollusk, nor attempted to take his shell. 



After the preceding observations were written, my 

 esteemed relative James A. Salter, Esq., mentioned in 

 conversation that he had witnessed the process of the 

 /Soldier's ^'movhig house.^' At my request he has 



