88 Dwellers of the Sea and Shore 



but thorough, examination. Then deftly inserting his 

 great claw into the opening, he explores the interior. 

 A scale worm, clinging just within the glazed en- 

 trance, seems evidently not to concern him. The crab's 

 pressing occupation now is to determine whether or not 

 these precincts contain something more formidable — 

 perhaps a member of his own tribe. He finds it free 

 from these, however, and prepares to take it over. 

 Grasping the rim with his pincers he is about to with- 



polynoe; the scale worm. 



draw from his old shell and transfer to the new-found 

 one when his antennas fall across the worm. This 

 causes him to hesitate. Oh, well; no matter. There 

 seems to be room enough for two. So, without more 

 delay, he vaults over swiftly and nimbly into the other 

 shell. 



Possession is followed immediately by a momentary 

 disappearance whereupon all but the tips of his claws 

 are hidden from sight. Soon his fore body emerges, 

 and by the aid of the currents that wash the gill cav- 

 ities, he sends forth a stream of particles consisting of 

 the sand and debris that have filtered into the recesses 

 of the scurfy ruin. The operation of retreating into 



