THE LOBSTER KIND. - ^45 



chinel apple ; and whenever they are found under that noxious plant, they 

 are always rejedted. 



The SOLDIER CRAB has fome fimilitude to the Lobfter, without 

 its fliell. Ulually four inches long, no (hell behind, but covered to the 

 tail with a rough Ikin, terminating in a point : itrong hard nippers be- 

 fore, like the Lobfter ; one of them is as thick as a man's thumb, and 

 pinches moft powerfully. Thefe have no fhell, but take pofieflion of one 

 deferted by fome other animal ; it there refides till too large for its habi- 

 tation : like the former, defcending yearly from the mountains to the 

 fea-lhore, to depofit its fpawn, and to procure a new fhell. It is very 

 probable that its firft care is to provide for its offspring ; and it is thought, 

 from the number of little fhells which it is feen examining, that it depo- 

 fits its fpawn in them. After many trials and combats for a new flicll, 

 the foldier is equipped. There is often a conteft between two for fome 

 well-looking favourite habitation ; both endeavouring to take pofieflion ; 

 they ftrike with their claws ; and bite till the weakefl is obliged to yield. 



When this animal is taken, it fends forth a feeble cry, endeavouring to 

 feize the enemy with its nippers ; with which, if it faftens, it will fooner 

 die than quit the grafp. The wound is very painful, and not eafily 

 cured. For this reafon, and as it is not much efteemed for its flefh, it 

 is generally permitted to return fafely to its old retreat in the moun- 

 tains. 



TESTACEOUS FISHES. 



r 



'IpHE manners of this clafs of creatures, that for the moft part creep 

 j_ along the bottom, or are driven by the waves, is almoft en- 

 tirely unknown. The wreathing of their Iliells, or their fpots, have been 

 defcribed ; but of their appetites, combats, efcapes, and arts of fub- 

 fiftence, we are ignorant. 



A fhell is a natural habitation; hard and ftony; often partly derived 



by the animal from furrounding objeds.; the fluids of the animal furnifh- 



ing the cement. Thefe unite into that firm covering which Ihell-fifh 



generally refide in. 



Part V. No. 30. T t A^ 



