132 HERMIT-CRABS CASTING THEIR SHELLS. 



slipped off the skin of his tail!* much in the same 

 fashion as we would draw off a well-fitting glove. 

 Here was a strange and unexpected discovery. 



On submitting the exuvium to the microscope, we 

 find that the covering of the false feet, and the cilia 

 attached to the same, all remained fixed in their 

 natural position to the tail-piece. Although in 

 several cases I have had no difficulty in discovering 

 the rejected cuticle of the tail, at other times it has 

 eluded my search. The cause of this I cannot ex- 

 plain. It may be that the animal, adopting the habits 

 of the toad, swallows a portion of its exuviae as soon 

 as cast. On two occasions I found the slough of the 

 body and claws of a crab, and waited patiently for 

 several days, without success, expecting to get the 

 tail portion. Growing impatient, it occurred to me 

 that it would be a curious experiment to try and 

 draw off the exuvium with my fingers. This was 

 easy to talk about, but difficult to perform. 



In the first place, the crab would not, if he could 

 help it, allow himself to be handled even in the most 

 gentle manner. To overcome this difficulty the 

 shell had to be broken. This was done ; but, alas ! 

 the shock nearly killed the poor little Hermit. After 

 some trouble, I carefully unwound his body from 

 the whirls of the Top Shell, and proceeded to per- 

 form the intended operation. Reader, have you 



* The fact of the exuvium of the Hermit-Crab being cast off -in two pieces, and at 

 different periods, I have since confirmed * many a time, and oft,' 



