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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, Canc&r 

 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, Cardnus Manas, 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 Porcellana platy- 

 cheles 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 Bernhardus, 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 de- 

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

 viz., Pagurus, which, whilst tolerably safe as to the head and 

 thorax, is in constant danger from the utterly unprotected state of 

 the posterior portions. The abdomen and tail are without the usual 

 covering of a coat of lime ; they have no shell 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 wonderful economy of Nature, the animal finds compensa- 

 tion for the deficiency, either in the use of its instinct, or rather, 

 perhaps, in the exercise of good sense, by which a remedy is provided 

 equal to its necessities. Its usual habit is to take possession of 

 the empty shell of a dead shell-fish one of the univalves, such as 

 the common whelk and, introducing the whole of its soft parts 

 into this cherished prize, it hooks its tail round the innermost whorl 

 of the shell, and, keeping both eyes and claws ready for action, it 

 bids a hearty defiance to every opponent. You may seize the 

 exposed claws and tear the hermits into pieces ; but, so apprehen- 

 sive are they of danger, and so tenaciously do they cling to their 

 support, you will seldom either persuade or force the creatures 

 to come out of their abodes. It is equally curious to observe 



