THE HYALINE STYLET. 237 



Next day I placed another devoted Pliolas in the 

 tank, and after a while looked in to see how its 

 finny enemies were conducting themselves, when, 

 what should meet my eye, but the crab, sneaking off 

 with another opal baton in his arms ! I was more 

 puzzled than ever. It was quite certain that the 

 object in question had been procured from the Pholas, 

 yet I had not heard of, or ever seen anything like it 

 in that animal. 



I was ' on thorns ' until next day, so that I 

 might by watching solve the mystery. A third 

 Pholas was flung into the den. The fishes, eager as 

 usual, instantly attacked and pulled the mollusc to 

 pieces. After a while the crab began to move about 

 to and fro, evidently very restless, and anxious for 

 my departure. I did retire, but only to such dis- 

 tance as would allow me a distinct view of his move- 

 ments. In a few moments he stepped out mincingly 

 on the tips of his toes, .and crossed the tank to the 

 spot where the poor Pholas lay, like some fine beau 

 in Queen Anne's reign tripping jauntily down the 

 Mall, or across St. James' Park, to feed the ducks in 

 Rosamond's Pond. 



The Blennies darted off at his approach. He 

 then seated himself before the mangled corpse, and 

 scraped at it vigorously, manifestly searching for 

 some coveted treasure. Shortly after, perceiving 

 him clutch at something, I quickly approached and 

 disturbed his movements took up the Pholas, and to 



