ORDER CRUSTACEA HOMOBRANCHI.E. 129 



in his new conquest three or four times back and for- 

 ward, upon the strand, before his envious antagonist. 



When this animal is taken, it sends forth a feeble cry, 

 endeavouring to seize the enemy with its nippers; which 

 if it fasten upon, it will sooner die than quit the grasp. 

 The wound is very painful, and not easily cured. 



On the English coasts the Hermit Crab is generally 

 found in the shell of the whelk, or when of a small size 

 in that of the periwinkle ; they not unfrequently, how- 

 ever, remain in some cranny of a rock, or under the 

 protecting cover formed by a group of pebbles, in tha 

 interstices of which they hide themselves. 



The ancients were well acquainted with the Soldier 

 Crab, as is evident from the following translation of the 

 lines of one of their poets : 



The Soldier Crabs unarmed by nature, left 

 Helpless, and weak, grow strong by harmless theft. 

 Fearful they crawl, and look with panting wish 

 For the cast crust of some new-covered fish ; 

 Or such as empty lie, and deck the shore, 

 Whose first and rightful owners are no more. 

 They make glad seizure of the vacant room, 

 And count the borrowed sliell their native home ; 

 Screw their soft limbs to fit the winding case, 

 And boldly herd with the crustaceous race. 

 But when they larger grow they fill the place. 

 And find themselves hard-pinched in scanty space, 

 Compelled, they quit the roof they loved before, 

 And busy search around the pebbly shore. 

 Till a commodious roomy seat be found. 

 Such as the larger shell-fish living owned. 

 Oft cruel wars contending soldiers wage, 

 And long for the disputed shell engage ; 

 The strongest here the doubtful prize possess. 

 Power gives the right, and all the claim confess. 



