Life Beneath the Waves. 57 



ture is torn in pieces, and devoured within 

 a few minutes of his quitting his place of 

 refuge. 



Sometimes, instead of desiring to ensconce 

 himself in an empty shell, the Hermit takes 

 a fancy for one wherein its legitimate 

 owner is still living, and I have read that 

 on such occasions he will " seize the animal 

 with his claws, and having devoured its 

 flesh, take the shell for his own use/' thus 

 forming a striking illustration of the say- 

 ing that " Might is right," 



The appellation of Soldier-crab is also 

 bestowed upon the Hermit, in consequence 

 of his excessive pugnacity, and love of 

 fighting. He soon becomes reconciled to 

 captivity, and seems perfectly happy scram- 

 bling over the stones in pursuit of his com- 

 panions, or resting under seaweed when 

 tired of warfare. 



