74 Life and Immortality. 



many instances for the purpose of getting possession of 

 the enemy as well as his belongings, and, however this 

 may be, forcible possession is by them considered no mis- 

 demeanor. 



The body of the Hermit-crab, in the greater number of 

 species, is unprovided with a carapace, and, being soft and 

 liable to injury, the animal is compelled to seek shelter 

 usually in a snail-shell, winding himself about the coils, to 

 the inner extremity of which he attaches himself by his 

 modified posterior feet. So securely is he now intrenched 

 that it is only with difficulty he can be withdrawn, retracting 

 himself as he does further and further within cover of the 

 shell. A sudden fracture of the apex of the shell, under 

 which appears to be the most delicate part of the animal's 

 body, will generally effect a speedy dislodgment, the fright- 

 ened Crab dropping from the aperture. 



With his progressive development in size the Hermit 

 requires frequent changes of abode. His methods in secur- 

 ing a new habitation are among the most interesting of his 

 life. He is very circumspect in his movements, and will 

 make several reconnoissances before he is fully satisfied with 

 the conditions of his prospective home, retiring after each 

 visit to the old shell. 



Like many bipeds, he has his first of May, and so he goes 

 house-hunting. He finds a shell. Will it do ? He examines 

 it within, feelingly if not courteously, to see whether it is to 

 let. Satisfied on this point, he turns it over, then turns it 

 round, to know if it will suit, the weight of the house being 

 quite an item in the reckoning to one who is to carry it upon 

 his back. All things being right, his mind is made up to 

 move, and quickly, too, at that, lest he miss his chance 

 through some more active fellow house-hunter who is on the 

 alert. Out comes the body from the old house, and pop it 

 goes into the new. The resolution to move, the surrender 

 of the old house, and the occupancy of the new, were all 

 effected within a fraction of a second of time. 



