84 MAHVELS OF THE ANIMAL WORLD 



like animal known as the nereis, which receives 

 its name (bestowed upon it by Linnaeus) from the 

 mythological beings called Nereides, whom the 

 Greeks beheved to be the constant companions of 

 Neptune. Notwithstanding that the nereis is guilty 

 of taking a heavy toU of the hermit's food, yet the 

 partnership between the two creatures is by no 

 means a one-sided affair, for in return for its board 

 and lodging it is stated to serve the part of a house- 

 maid and keep the home clean. 



Acorn barnacles are other objects that are often 

 fomid attached to the shells of hermit-crabs, as 

 well as to those of Kmpets and other sheU-fish. 

 Although at first sight they appear to be merely 

 small conical excrescences, yet, in reahty, they are 

 the dwelling-places of living creatures, and if a 

 close observation be made of them it will be noted 

 that, from time to time, a number of tendril-hke 

 feelers are thrust through the summit of the sheUs, 

 thereby revealing the presence of the animals 

 within. It is not always, however, that hermit- 

 crabs indulge in the luxury of a shell wherein to 

 conceal themselves, and one species, known as the 

 hairy-handed hermit, is invariably found with a 

 sea-anemone adhering in close contact with its 

 unprotected body ; whilst another kind seeks 

 protection for the hinder and softer parts of its 

 anatomy by attaching itself to a sponge. 



A very extraordinary instance of strange fellow- 

 ship has been recorded by Fritz Miiller, who, during 

 his travels in Brazil, discovered a large caterpillar, 

 clothed in long stinging hairs, which was feeding 



