SOLDIER-CRAB AND LIMPET. 99 



moving along, the Patella, with its riband-like band 

 of teeth, swept off the luscious weed in a series of 

 graceful curves, thus making an abundant and 

 healthful meal. Before proceeding far, however, he 

 was forced to bear the weight of a Soldier-Crab, who 

 had most unceremoniously climbed upon his back, 

 and taken up a position at the base of the latissima 

 fronds. 



There seemed so much nonchalance about the 

 Pagurus that I determined to watch his movements, 

 and, if possible, to see how he would manage to 

 descend from a position which, if the mollusc con- 

 tinued his mowing operations, would soon be un- 

 enviably high. 



In about an hour the Limpet had reached the 

 level of the water in the aquarium, and there took 

 up his abode for the night. Next day and the next 

 there was no change of situation. The crab now 

 began evidently to perceive the danger of the posi- 

 tion in which he was placed, for he constantly moved 

 to and fro, and peered over into what must have 

 seemed to him an unfathomable abyss. 



While I stood, the Patella made a sudden move- 

 ment of its shell so sudden, indeed, as to startle 

 its companion, who quickly put out his claws to save 

 himself from falling. Unfortunately, in his spas- 

 modic gesture he allowed the tip of one of his claws 

 to intrude under the edge of the conical canopy, thus, 

 in fact, pricking the fleshy ' mantle ' of the animal 



