30 
terebelle, together with A/cyonium, “dead men’s fingers,” as fixed 
companions on the shells of the Pectenx maximus, but, at times, a free 
companion, such as an anemone or two, would also be found. 
Free companions were more common among crabs, the most 
notable being the pea crab, found living inside the shells of oysters 
and mussels, and by some supposed erroneously to cause the illness 
“ Musselling.” The guest seemed to live on good terms with the host, 
and was supposed to render benefits in return for the protection 
afforded. Among the soldier or hermit crabs which occupied the 
shells of mollusks, many were noted for having free companions. 
Thus a common companion was a Nereis, or worm, which lived side 
by side on very amicable terms. Another always had on the outside 
of his abode a sea anemone. Observations made by Lieut.-Colonel 
Stuart Wortley and Mr. Gosse seemed to show that if the pair were 
separated they came together again. 
Several other soldier crabs had twin attendant anemones ; but one 
crab seemed to encourage on his carapace a perfect colony of polyps, 
polyzoa, and sea weeds, and, so concealed by his covering, easily ap- 
proached his prey. One crab, owing to the companionship of five 
large oysters, was unable for four or five years to shed his coat. 
One free companion, the Echeneis Remora, had been rendered 
famous from the days of Oppian and Pliny, the latter of whom de- 
scribes this small fish as stopping the galley of Antony, at the battle of 
Actium, and that of the Emperor Caligula : though, in the latter case, 
400 seamen were labouring at the oar! The people of Mozambique 
were said to utilize the Remora by putting a ring in its tail with a line 
attached and hauling in the line when the Remora had attached itself 
toa fish ! There were also many fixed companions among the infusoria 
and rotifers, which attached themselves to the coverings of other 
animals, and so travelled without paying a fare. 
Mr. GLAISVYER exhibited some oyster shells bored by the Clione, 
showing, by the internal thickening of the enamel, that the perforation 
extended to a sensitive part, as well as some with serpulze and barnacles 
attached. 
After a vote of thanks to Mr. GLAISYER, a discussion ensued, in 
which other examples of fixed and free companions were in- 
“stanced by Messrs. WONFOR, NOURSE, PANKHURST, DAVEY, 
BUTCHER, WILLS, T. H. HENNAH, and Dr. BADCOCK. 
