I02 Dzvi'Uers of the Sea and Shore 



own limb from his body as to inflict this injury on his 

 adversary. 



Nor should the strenuous muscularity displayed by 

 the crab be accepted without question. I have seen, 

 times without number, this same agitated and frantic 

 attack made upon empty shells, the same tugging and 

 straining of forelegs inserted into a vacant interior, the 

 polished nacreous walls of which could offer no possible 

 resistance. 



What is it, then, that causes the crab to leave a 

 shell that he could easily retain merely by refusing to 

 be coerced? 



Well, I shall come to the point quickly. The hermit 

 crab, acting solely by an instinct that he has undoubt- 

 edly inherited from his ancestors, is a notorious bully. 

 Therefore, his display of force is only a fraud, a sham 

 whereby he terrifies or startles his opponent out of his 

 wits and out of his retreat. It is a question of nerves. 

 The one with the most temerity wins. 



