THE HERMIT-CRAB. 603 



The color 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 OAR-FOOT CRAB points it out as allied to the preceding 

 species, although the antenna? 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 these Crustacea is the common HERMIT-CRAB of England (Pagurus 

 BernharJus}, 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. Any- 

 thing 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 yictor 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 



