JOINTED-LIMBED ANIMALS AS MESSMATES 179 
(Lasius mixtus). In fig. 1127, B is represented a little drama 
which appears to be frequently enacted by the two kinds of insect. 
One ant is seen in the act of feeding another by squeezing a drop 
of sweet fluid out of its crop. A tassel-tail is just about to steal 
this drop, being also. 
prepared to beat a 
hasty retreat after ac- 
complishing the im- 
pudent theft. 
Crass (Bracuy- 
URA) aS MESSMATES. 
— Partnerships _ be- 
tween Crabs and 
Sea-Anemones are of 
common occurrence, 
the former being 
benefited by the 
stinging properties 
of the Zoophytes, 
which in their turn Fig. 1127.—Scenes in Ant Life, enlarged. a, an Ants'-nest Beetle (A Zeme/es) 
are pl ace d un d er asking to be fed. wu. A Tassel-Tail (Grassiella polypoda) about to steal a drop 
of food which one ant is giving to another. 
favourable _ condi- 
tions as regards feeding. Such an association between a Buffoon- 
Crab (Dorippe facchino) and an Anemone (Cancrisocia expansa) 
is shown in fig. 1128. An arrangement, differing in detail, has 
been described in the case of two kinds of crab native to Mauritius, 
each of which has two anemones as messmates, one fixed to each 
of the large pincers. 
Hermit-Crabs are particularly not- 
able for the partnerships which they 
contract with Zoophytes, probably be- 
cause the shells in which they shelter 
their soft tails afford a convenient 
surface for attachment. Two British Fig. 1128—Buffoon-Crab (Dorippe fac- 
species, for example, Zupagurus Bern- re en aeeeiaced ee 
hardus and E. Pyrideauxit, have as 
their respective associates two different species of Cloak-Anemone 
(Adamsia Rondeletit and A. palliata). Regarding the latter 
hermit-crab Stebbing (in A Azstory of Crustacea) speaks as 
follows:—‘‘Surmises are sometimes made as to the advantages 
