76 SINGULAE CONDUCT OF THE SHOEE-CEAB. 



once so harmless towards each other, seemed suddenly 

 inspired by the demon of mischief. Combats, more 

 or less severe, constantly occurring, in a few days I 

 separated them. 



The ' fiddler' I placed in the large tank, where he 

 rested content, and never again offered to escape 

 evidently the better of his experience. Not so his 

 old friend, who still continued obstinate and miser- 

 able as ever. In his case I determined to see if a 

 certain amount of sternness would not curb his 

 haughty spirit. For two days I offered him no 

 food, but punished him with repeated strokes on his 

 back, morning and evening. This treatment was 

 evidently unpleasant, for he scampered about with 

 astonishing rapidity, and ever endeavoured to shelter 

 himself under the granite centre-piece. When I 

 thought he had been sufficiently chastised, I next 

 endeavoured to coax him into contentment and 

 better conduct. My good efforts were, however, un- 

 availing. Every morning I placed before him a 

 newly-opened mussel, but on no occasion did he 

 touch a morsel. All day he continued struggling, 

 as heretofore, to climb up the side of his cham- 

 ber, trying by every means in his power to escape. 

 This untameable disposition manifested itself for 

 about a week, but at the end of that time, on look- 

 ing into the vase, I saw the crab seated on the top 

 of the stone, his body resting against the glass. I 

 then took up a piece of meat and placed it before 



