162 CONCHOLOGIST’S COMPANION. 
It is very amusing to observe one of these active 
little crabs, examining and rejecting different kinds 
of shells, till he has at length provided himself with 
a light, roomy, and convenient habitation. Yet 
it is not till after many trials, and some battles also, 
that the Hermit is completely equipped ; for it some- 
times happens that a warm combat ensues with a 
Crab of a similar description, for the occupation of a 
well-looking and favourite shell. Both endeavour 
by fraud or violence to obtain an entrance. They 
strike with their claws, and bite each other; till the 
weakest is obliged to yield, and give up the object 
in dispute. The victor then triumphantly takes 
possession, and parades backwards and forwards on 
the strand, as if in defiance of his discomfited anta- 
gonist, who travels off to seek a habitation among the 
fresh deposits of the ocean. 
Nor is the construction of the common Heliz less . 
deserving of attention, than that of the occasional 
resident of its deserted mansion. ‘This feeble animal 
is soft, spungy, and transparent, and is provided with 
horns, or antenne, at the extremity of which the 
eyes are situated, appearing like small dark spots, 
black, sparkling, and obicular. These, on the approach 
of danger, are rapidly drawn down, together with 
the horns, into the head, which immediately dis- 
appears beneath the shell. In the course of a few 
