74 Life and Immortality. 
many instances for the purpose of getting possession of 
the enemy as well as his belongings, and, however this 
may be, forcible possession is by them considered no mis- 
demeanor. 
The body of the Hermit-crab, in the greater number of 
species, is unprovided with a carapace, and, being soft and 
liable to injury, the animal is compelled to seek shelter 
usually in a snail-shell, winding himself about the coils, to 
the inner extremity of which he attaches himself by his 
modified posterior feet. So securely is he now intrenched 
that it is only with difficulty he can be withdrawn, retracting 
himself as he does further and further within cover of the 
shell. A sudden fracture of the apex of the shell, under 
which appears to be the most delicate part of the animal’s 
body, will generally effect a speedy dislodgment, the fright- 
ened Crab dropping from the aperture. 
With his progressive development in size the Hermit 
requires frequent changes of abode. His methods in secur- 
ing a new habitation are among the most interesting of his 
life. He is very circumspect in his movements, and will 
make several reconnoissances before he is fully satisfied with 
the conditions of his prospective home, retiring after each 
visit to the old shell. 
Like many bipeds, he has his first of May, and so he goes 
house-hunting. He finds a shell. Will it do? He examines 
it within, feelingly if not courteously, to see whether it is to 
let. Satisfied on this point, he turns it over, then turns it 
round, to know if it will suit, the weight of the house being 
quite an item in the reckoning to one who is to carry it upon 
his back. All things being right, his mind is made up to 
move, and quickly, too, at that, lest he miss his chance 
through some more active fellow house-hunter who is on the 
alert. Out comes the body from the old house, and pop it 
goes into the new. The resolution to move, the surrender 
of the old house, and the occupancy of the new, were all 
effected within a fraction of a second of time. 
