100 Dwellers of the Sea and Shore 



victorious adversary would relax his vigilance, the dis- 

 possessed crab ventures closer. When within a few 

 inches of the guarded shell, he makes a bold attempt 

 to feint his enemy from his position by making a quick 

 circuit around him at close quarters. The other is not 

 to be caught napping, however. He engages the bereft 

 one, and with a well-directed cuff, sends him flying 

 backward. 



These maneuvers are repeated again and again until 

 It would seem there is no ending, or until one of the 

 two tired of the contest, were it not for a circumstance 

 that makes both of them forget their private quarrel. 

 Two other males arrive in the vicinity. The first to 

 spy them is our gladiator. He hurries forth to meet 

 them, leaving behind the disputed shell. Then follows 

 a skirmishing fight in which three hermit crabs are 

 engaged. 



This is an opportunity not to be lost by the defense- 

 less one, so he speedily takes possession of his chattel. 

 One would imagine that from his recent experience he 

 has had his fill of fighting. Not so, however; he 

 hastens to the fray and takes his part quite lustily, and 

 the affair now becomes a battle royal between all four. 

 For a number of seconds there is a confusing tangle of 

 brandished claws and animated shells, while the stac- 

 cato clicking of the latter rises in crescendo. Sud- 

 denly one of the warriors is knocked sprawling, upon 

 which event the mass with one accord disintegrates and 

 the crabs depart, all going their several ways. The 

 fracas is over as suddenly as it was precipitated. 



Let me here observe that of the hundred brawls I 

 have witnessed between hermit crabs — in none of 



