114 THE SEA-SIDE AND AQUARIUM. 



Presently the wee practical joker peeped up, doubt- 

 less thinking his pranks had been taken in good 

 part. Such was not the case. No sooner did he ap- 

 pear than he was clutched, and, in spite of his puny 

 opposition, a forcible ejectment was served upon him, 

 in addition to which he received rather a severe per- 

 sonal chastisement. 



The large Crab then quickly seated himself in his 

 testaceous castle, and I have no doubt thought him- 

 self at last supremely happy. Alas ! nor we, nor 

 peaceful Hermits, like our friend, can make sure of 

 anything for long. 



His quiet speedily was disturbed. The infant 

 Pagurus, searching about, found an empty Barnacle 

 shell on the top of the Whelk, and in this he ensconced 

 himself. From his turret he put out his claws and 

 annoyed his brother, by catching hold of his sensitive 

 antennae, without the latter having any power to 

 punish his troublesome relation, in consequence of 

 not being able to bend his claws over or behind his 

 head. 



The only plan would have been for him to come 

 out of his shell, and mount up to where his adversary 

 was so snugly seated ; but this he did not seem to 

 think of, but evidently preferred settling despairingly 

 down into the innermost recesses of the Purpura, out 

 of reach of petty annoyance. 



Next day I dropped into the miniature tank an 

 old Whelk shell, the surface of which had been worn 

 smooth by constant knocking about on the beach. 



