Life Beneath the Waves. 55 



mounted on long stalks, and very inquisitive 

 and impudent does he look, as he peeps out 

 of his place of refuge ; he moves about very 

 quickly, and does not seem in the slightest 

 degree inconvenienced by the weight of his 

 house on his back. 



The Hermit may be found in all kinds of 

 shells, and when he grows too large for, or 

 becomes tired of living in one shell, he 

 changes it for another. When in captivity, 

 the Hermit is often very restless, and will 

 continually change his residence, if suitable 

 shells be given him. The way he conducts 

 himself during the transit is very amusing 

 I have often watched his comical evolu- 

 tions as he forsakes one abode for another. 



As soon as an empty shell is dropped 

 into the aquarium within the Hermit's sight, 

 he darts eagerly at it, seizes it with his 

 claws, and after dragging it away to some 



