HERMIT CRABS. 403 



clattering noise to proceed from the collision of 

 their burrowed coverings ; and should they not 

 be able to escape capture they draw themselves 

 closely into the shell, closing the aperture so 

 firmly, by crossing the claws over the entrance, 

 as to render it impossible to extract them without 

 breaking the shell to pieces. Thus secured, 

 they remain immoveable and apparently dead, 

 and may be kicked or thrown about, without 

 giving any indications of life ; but danger passed, 

 they emerge partly from the shell as before, and 

 move briskly away. The natives use them oc- 

 casionally, but rarely, as food. 



It is not an improbable supposition, that the 

 ova of these curious crustaceous animals are de- 

 posited in the empty shells lying upon the beach ; 

 and the changes these Crustacea undergo is one 

 of the most interesting subjects of investigation 

 which could engage the attention of a practical 

 naturalist. It is a curious fact that, no matter 

 whatever form the univalve shell may have, the 

 posterior or soft parts of the animal inhabiting it 

 are accommodated to it ; thus causing persons 

 not accustomed to observe the changes of natural 

 objects to regard this as the original inhabitant; 

 and it is oftentimes difficult to persuade them 

 of the reverse : the posterior portion of the 

 animal being naked, and the anterior crusta- 



DD 2 



