THE CLOAK ANEMONE. 131 



membrane is so unusual that I do not remember to have 

 ever seen it. 



Pagurus Prideauxii seems to be as dependent on the 

 Adamsia, as the latter is on it. The only instance in 

 which I have heard of its having been ever found disso- 

 ciated from its friend, is the following, communicated to 

 me by Mr. Eobertson : — 



" Lately I dredged a small Pagurus Prid. unassociated 

 with Adamsia palliata. After a few days I put it into a 

 jar with an Adamsia which I have had for some time. 

 I saw them six hours after ; Pagurus had left his 

 shell, and was perched on the top of Adamsia, with his 

 fore claws among the tentacles. Next morning Pagurus 

 was dead, and Adamsia had quitted the hold of his 

 shell/' 



This association, however, like so many other things 

 that the naturalist is constantly meeting with, is unac- 

 countable. Why one species of Soldier-crab must needs 

 seek the companionship of this Anemone, while other 

 Soldier-crabs are able to live alone ; and why this species 

 of Anemone must needs associate with the Soldier-crab, 

 while other kinds of Anemone are solitary, I can by no 

 means answer. Nor is the difficulty in any wise solved 

 by supposing — what we may easily grant — that each niay 

 find advantage from the other's presence. Dr. Lands- 

 borough pleasantly says, — ** In all likelihood, they in 

 various ways aid each other. The Hermit has strong 

 claws ; and while he is feasting on the prey he has caught, 

 many spare crumbs may fall to the share of his gentle- 

 looking companion. But, soft and gentle-looking though 

 the Anemone be, she has a hundred hands ; and woe to 

 the wandering wight who comes within the reach of one 

 of them, for all the other hands are instantly brought to 

 its aid, and the Hermit may soon find that he is more 



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