HERMIT AND CLOAKLET. 243 



Examining now more closely the condition of things, 

 with a lens, I saw that the central part of the Adamsia' s 

 base was adherent by a small point of its surface to the 

 under side of the thorax of the Crab, between the bases 

 of the legs. 



Now this adhesion to the Crab is a circumstance 

 which, so far as I know, never takes place in the ordi- 

 nary relations of the animals; and therefore I could 

 not but think it an extraordinary and temporary provi- 

 sion for the removal of the Adamsia from the old to 

 the new shell, and for the correct adjustment of its 

 position on the latter. 



How then can we avoid the conclusion, that, as soon 

 as the Crab had found the new shell to be suitable for 

 exchange, the Adamsia also was made cognizant of 

 the same fact ; and that, during the two hours which 

 followed, the latter loosened its adhesion to the old 

 shell, and, laying hold of the bosom of its protector, 

 was by him carried to the new house, where immediately 

 it began to secure the like hold to that which it had 

 just relinquished ? 



Eleven days elapsed after the above observations 

 were made, when I obtained another interesting fact 

 bearing on this strange association. The Adamsia had 

 not looked well since the change of residence ; its 

 adhesion to the shell had been but partial at the best, 



