552 THE HERMIT CRAB THE LOBSTER. 



THE HERMIT CRAB. 



Having no shell to any part but its nippers, the Hermit Crab 

 supplies by art what is denied to it by 

 nature: for, taking possession of the 

 deserted shell of some other animal, it 

 occupies that, till, by becoming too 

 large for its habitation, it is under the 

 necessity of changing it. 



It is curious enough, in some coun- 

 tries, to observe this animal busily 

 parading the sea-shore, along that line 

 of pebbles and shells, which is formed 

 by the furthest wave; still, however, 

 dragging its old incommodious habita- 

 tion at its tail, unwilling to part with THE HERMIT CRAB 

 one shell, even though a troublesome 



appendage, till it can meet with another more convenient. t stops 

 first at one shell, turns it, passes by ; then goes to another, contem- 

 plates that for a while, and, slipping its tail from the old habitation, 

 tries on the new one. If this be found inconvenient, it quickly 

 resumes the old one. It thus frequently changes, till at length it 

 finds one that is light, roomy and commodious. To this.it adheres, 

 though the shell be sometimes so large as to hide both the body and 

 claws of the animal. 



But many trials and many combats are sometimes to be sustained 

 by the Hermit Crab, before he is thus equipped: for there is often a 

 contest between two of these animals for some favorite shell. They 

 both endeavor to take possession. They strike with their claws, and 

 bite each other, till the weakest is compelled to yield. The victor 

 then takes possession, and, in his new acquisition, parades backward 

 and forward on the strand, before his envious antagonist. These 

 Crabs feed on small marine animals of various kinds. 



THE LOBSTER. 



These animals are extremely prolific. Dr. Baster says he counted 

 twelve thousand four hundred and forty-four eggs under the tail of a 

 female Lobster, besides those that remained in the body unprotruded. 

 Thov deposit these eggs in the sand, where they are soon hatched. 



Like the rest of their tribe, they are said annually to cast their 

 shells. Previously to putting off their old shell, they appear sick, 

 languid, and restless. They acquire an entirely new covering in a 

 few days; but during the time that they remain defenceless, they 

 seek some lonely place, lest they should be attacked and devoured by 

 such of their brethren as are not in the same weak condition. 



At the same time that they cast their shell, they change also theil 



