5IO THE HERMIT CRAB* 



That the ancients were well acquainted with the 

 manners of the Hermit Crab is evident from the' 

 following lines, translated from Oppian. 



The Hermit-fish, unarm'd by Nature, left 



Helpless, and weak, grow strong by harmless theft. 



Fearful they stroll, 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 borrow'd shell their native home ; 



Screw their soft limbs to fit the winding case, 



And boldly herd with the crustaceous race. 



Careless they enter the first empty cell; 



Oft find the plaited whelk's indented shell ; 



And oft the deep dy'd purple forced by death 



To stranger-fish the painted home bequeath. 



The whelk's etch'd coat is most with pleasure worn. 



Wide in extent, and yet but lightly born. 



But when they growing more than fill the place, 



And find themselves hard-pinch'd in scanty space, 



Compell'd they quit the roof they lov'd before, 



And busy search around the pebbly shore, 



Till a commodious roomy seat be found, 



Such as the larger shell-fish living own'd. 



Oft cruel wars contending Hermits wage, 



And long for the disputed shell engage. 



The strongest here the doubtful prize possess, 



Power gives the right, and all the claim possess. 



When this animal is caught, it emits a faint cry y 

 but pinches forcibly with its claws ; nor is there any 

 mode of getting disengaged from these but by either 

 breaking them off or heating the shell. It feeds on 

 fish and insects. 



