ANECDOTE. 97 



again by being placed solus in some fresh water, or 

 laid out in the air for a few moments. But he 

 ought, on no account, when in a sickly condition, 

 to be allowed to hide himself beneath any pieces of 

 rock or shadow of the Algse. 



If he is out of sight, be sure not to let him 

 be out of mind ; for, should he die in the tank, 

 and his body be allowed to remain for any length 

 of time, he will very soon afford you full proof 

 that such toleration on your part is anything but 

 pleasant. 



Although, as already stated, this animal cannot 

 be drawn out of his shell except by extreme force, 

 the object can easily be obtained by aid of strategy. 

 Having been for some time at a loss how to give 

 certain young visitors a sight of the Hermit-Crab 

 in his defenceless state, I, by accident, hit upon the 

 following simple plan: 



With a piece of bent whalebone I lifted up a 

 Pagurus, shell and all, and allowed the latter to 

 drop upon the outer row of the tentacula of an 

 Actinia, which quickly stuck fast to the intruding 

 object. The crab at first did not seem fully alive 

 to his critical position. He popped out of his shell 

 and looked unsuspectingly around, until catching 

 sight of my face, he instantly retired from view 

 with a casket-like snap. In a minute he was out 

 again, and this time prepared to change his position. 

 For this purpose he gave several successive pulls, bui 



7 



