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crab the Pinna receives into her covering, and 

 when she opens her valves in quest of food, lets 

 him out to look for prey. During this the 

 Cuttle-fish approaches; the crab returns with 

 the utmost speed and anxiety to his hostess, 

 who being thus warned of the danger, shuts the 

 doors and keeps out the enemy. That very sa- 

 gacious observer, Dr. Hasselquist, in his voyage 

 towards Palestine, beheld this curious pheno- 

 menon, which, though well known to the an- 

 cients, had escaped the moderns. 



Oppian gives us the following pretty fable of 

 this curious animal. 



In clouded deeps below, the Pinna hides, 

 And through the silent paths obscurely glides ; 

 A stupid wretch, and void of thoughtful care, 

 He forms no bait, nor lays the tempting snare ; , 

 But the dull sluggard boasts a crab his friend, 

 Whose busy eyes the coming prey attend ; 

 One room contains them, and the partners dwell 

 Beneath the convex of one sloping shell. 

 Deep in the wat'ry vast, the comrades rove, 

 And mutual interest binds their constant love ; 

 That wiser friend the lucky juncture tells, 

 When in the gaping circuit of hill shells 

 Fish wandering enter ; then the bearded guide 

 Warns the dull mate, and pricks his tender side j 



