288 PARASITISM m PLANTS AND ANIMALS. 



sting the feet of the unwary bather treading upon a jelly-fish. 

 Fishes readily swallow hermit-crabs, and it is quite possible 

 that the presence of an Adamsia round the mouth of a shell 

 might deter even a hungry cod. 



The following observation of Mr Grosse on the habits of these 

 animals is of extreme interest : — 



'•'On the 10th of January, 1859, I obtained, by dredging, in 

 Torbay, a specimen of Adamsia palUata, about half-grown, on a 

 rather small shell of Natica monilifera, tenanted by a Pagurus 

 Prideauxii, which seemed already too big for his habitation. 

 Having put them into a well-established tank of large dimen- 

 sions, the contents of which were in excellent condition, I suc- 

 ceeded in doing what I had never done before, domiciliating 

 both crab and Adamsia. Both continued in the highest health 

 and became quite at home." But as the hermit seemed to be 

 getting too large for his shell and the anemone not looking well, 

 Mr. Gosse placed in the tank a larger Natica shell in the hope 

 that the crab would appropriate it and that the anemone would 

 also shift his quarters. What happened was this, — the crab 

 presently found the new shell, and "having turned it mouth 

 upward, took hold of the outer and inner lip, each with a claw, 

 and began to drag it about the tank. After about an hour's ab- 

 sence," continues Mr. Gosse, " I returned to the examination. 

 The Pagurus was comfortably lodged in his new abode and the 

 old one lay deserted at some little distance. The Adamsia also 

 was adhering to the lips of the new shell, but partly also to the 

 thorax of the crab, a condition which is never seen under ordi- 

 nary circumstances. It seems probable, therefore, that as soon 

 as the crab had found the new shell to be suitable for exchange, 

 the Adamsia also was made cognizant of the fact; and that during 

 the two hours which followed, the latter loosened its adhesion 

 to the old shell, and laying hold of the bosom of its protector, was 

 by him carried to the new house, where immediately it began to 

 secure the like hold to that which it had just relinquished." 



Then again, owing apparently to the ill-health of the anemone, 

 it once more detached itself from the shell, but the crab seized 

 it with his claws and applying jt to the shell kept it tirmly 



