MARINE ZOOLOGY OF ARRAIf. 26 



sides of Brodick Bay, and indeed almost everywhere on the 

 Arran shore, and on the Ayrshire coast. It is an interesting 

 object for the vivarium, both on account of its general appear- 

 ance and from its activity in plundering the sea anemones. 

 Other crustaceans abound in this district. The numerous 

 rocks are places of retreat and shelter for the common edible 

 crab, Cancer Pagurus, which, in moderate size, is caught in 

 the creels by local fishermen, whilst the younger individuals 

 of this species may be recognized scampering about the shore 

 in search of food, or hiding themselves under stones, in the 

 enjoyment of a siesta. The common shore or harbour crab, 

 Carcinus Mcenas, inhabits the same localities, and may be 

 seen anywhere, or everywhere, in pools, under sea-weeds, 

 beneath rocks, or in the sands. Turn over the stones, and 

 another species will invite inspection Porcdlana platychdes 

 distinguished at once from every other crab by the breadth 

 of its hands. But, of all the crustaceans, the hermit crab, 

 already mentioned in connection with an associated zoophyte, 

 seems to afford the most amusement to the sea-side rambler. 

 There are several species of this singular crab inhabiting deep 

 water; but the most common kind, Pagurus Sernhardus, 

 may be procured in any quantity by strolling along the 

 shore. The peculiarities of these hermits are of no mean 

 order. Each individual resides, hermit-like, solitary in a 

 shell, which, either by fair or foul means, is obtained and 

 appropriated for self-protection. Nature has been considerate 

 in supplying a shield (the carapace) that entirely defends 

 every species of crab, except the genus now under our notice, 

 namely, Pagurus, which, whilst tolerably safe as to the head 

 and thorax, is in constant danger from the utterly unpro- 

 tected state of the posterior portions. The abdomen and 

 tail are without the usual covering of a coat of lime ; they 

 have no sJtell in these parts, and, consequently, at any 

 moment they might be at the mercy of a hungry neighbour 

 or spiteful antagonist. But here, as elsewhere in the wonder- 

 ful economy of Nature, the animal finds compensation for the 



