THE HERMIT-CEAB. 603 



The colour of the SYMNISTA is very pale yellow, Its claws are suddenly broad, rather 

 sharp, and bent over at a right angle. The antennae are long, and beautifully fringed with 

 hairs. It is a small species, only two or three inches in length. 



THE general shape of the OAK-FOOT CRAB points it out as allied to the preceding 

 species, although the antennae are not so long, and their fringe not so conspicuous. 



The name of Oar-foot is given to this species on account of the curious modification 

 by which the false feet are developed into oar- like appendages with flat blades, which serve 

 for swimming like the hinder feet of the swimming-crabs. The last ring of the abdomen is 

 changed into a flattened and pointed paddle. The carapace is convex and of a tolerably 

 regular oval. This species is a native of New Holland, and never attains to any great 

 size. An illustration of the Oar-foot Crab will be found in one of the succeeding pages. 



WE now come to a singular group of crabs which are remarkable for their soft and 

 shell-less tails, and the mode employed to protect them. From their solitary habits they 

 are called Hermit-crabs, and from their extreme combativeness they have earned the 

 title of Soldier-crabs. 



The best known of tnese Crustacea is the common HEEMIT-CEAB of England (Pagwrus 

 Bernhardus), which is to be found plentifully on our shores. Like all its race, the Hermit- 

 crab inhabits the shell of some mollusc, in which it can bury its unprotected tail, and into 

 which it can retreat when threatened with danger. The Hermit-crab usurps the deserted 

 home of various molluscs, according to its size, so that, when young and small, it is found 

 in the shells of the tops, periwinkles, and other small molluscs ; and when it reaches full 

 age, it takes possession of the whelk-shell and entirely fills its cavity. 



Any one may find these odd crabs by watching a rock pool after the tide has gone 

 down. There are always plenty of shells in such places, and if the observer will remain 

 very quiet, he will see one of the apparently empty shells suddenly turn over, and begin 

 to run along at a great pace, much faster than if it had been inhabited by its usual 

 occupant. On the least movement of the spectator, the shell stops as abruptly as it had 

 started into action, and rolls over as before, seemingly dead and empty. 



On picking it up, the mystery will be revealed, for within the shell will be seen an 

 odd little crab, with a body curved so as to fit exactly round the shell, with one claw 

 small and one very large. If it be touched it retreats still further into the shell, and 

 defies any attempt to pull it out. Even if a claw be grasped, the creature cannot easily 

 be withdrawn, and clings so tightly to its home that in most cases it may be torn asunder 

 rather than loosen its hold. It is enabled to hold thus firmly by means of a pair of 

 pincers situated at the end of the tail, and which are indeed the last pair of legs modified 

 for that purpose. Sometimes the creature can be coaxed, as it were, out of its shell by a 

 long and steady pull, but, as a general rule, to get a Hermit-crab uninjured out of its 

 abode is a very difficult task. 



I have often accomplished it by putting the shell upon an open actinia. The crab, 

 feeling the tentacles of the actinia gradually surrounding its limbs, and not liking the 

 aspect of the living gulf into which it is rapidly descending, makes the best of its way 

 out of the shell, and can be snatched up before it has found time to recover its presence 

 of mind. Sometimes a Hermit-crab may be captured while the inhabitant is three parts 

 outside its shelly house, but, on the least alarm, the creature flies back to the farthest 

 recesses of its home as if worked by a spring. 



This crustacean is wonderfully combative, and will fight on scant provocation. Anything 

 will serve for a cause of war, such as a piece of meat, a smaller crab, or a shell to which 

 another individual happens to take a fancy. If two Hermits be removed from their 

 houses, and put into a rock pool with only one shell in it, the combats which take place 

 for the possession of that solitary shell are as fierce and determined as any that have taken 

 place in the tourney or the field of battle. As with most of the crustaceans, the victor 

 always eats his fallen foe ; and even though he be bereft of a few legs, he seems to care 

 nothing for the loss, but eats away with perfect appetite. 



Even when the crabs are suited with homes, their combats are fierce, deadly, and 

 active, in spite of the heavy shell which they drag behind them, and which seems to 



