70 THE SEA-SIDE AND AQUARIUM. 



the sand, almost completely disappeared. Curious 

 to ascertain what behaviour so unusual could signify, 

 and not able to reconcile it to my first hypothesis of 

 sickness, I lay down upon an adjoining sofa, that 

 commanded a full view of the Aquarium. In the 

 course of a very few minutes I observed a little 

 elevation of the Crab's head, attended with a succes- 

 sion of rapid inquisitive glances all round. Appa- 

 rently satisfied with the result of these observa- 

 tions, he suddenly threw aside his arenaceous covering, 

 and deliberately advanced towards my gentle Pholas. 

 In a moment he fell upon him with desperate violence. 

 I looked on very eagerly; and assuredly, had I 

 anticipated the tragical nature of the encounter, I 

 should have speedily interfered. But the Pholas 

 looked so formidable, being fully four times the size 

 of its assailant, that it was only when the sharp 

 nippers of the latter, had, in a space of time incredibly 

 short, eaten away a considerable part of the soft, 

 dainty cheeks, that I became thoroughly alive to the 

 character of the attack and its probable termination. 

 Grasping my Aquarium ferule, a slim stick of gutta 

 percha, I struck the Crab so forcibly, that he made a 

 hasty retreat. Great was my surprise and annoy- 

 ance, however, to find that the injuries inflicted on 

 the poor Pholas were so grave as to prove fatal. 



I may add, that the rascally Crab, as if conscious 

 how severely he deserved punishment, and uncertain 

 how long my vengeance might be imminent, entirely 

 withdrew from observation. Indeed, several week 



