170 ME. Salter's observations. 



After the proceeding observations were written, my 

 esteemed relative James A. Salter, Esq. mentioned in 

 conversation that he had witnessed the process of the 

 Soldier's "moving house". At my request he has 

 favoured me with the following particulars, which, 

 while they agree with my own observations in essential 

 points, superadd some interesting details. 



" I have many times found Hermit-crabs out of 

 their Shells in the mingled mass of a dredge-haul, 

 and on three occasions have watched the method in 

 which the houseless creature domiciliates himself. 

 These were the only occasions on which I endeavoured 

 to observe the operation : they always seem willing 

 enough to exhibit their housing performance. 



My plan of observation was simply this : — I put a 

 naked crab into a large glass jar of sea water with one 

 shell, the latter of size about proportioned to the 

 former ; and then I contemplated. In each case the 

 crab proceeded in the same way. 



Appearing to s^^the shell in the distance the animal 

 crawled up to it for the purpose of seeing if the house 

 were to let ; and this circumstance he discovered not 

 by sight, but touch. Upon reaching the shell he 

 hooked two of his legs into its open mouth, and thrust- 

 ing them as far down into its cavity as possible, com- 

 menced scrambling round the edge : he was evidently 

 probing to discover if there were already an inhabitant. 

 In each case the crab pursued this probing operation 

 in the same direction — commencing on the projecting 

 side of the shell, and ending on the receding side. 

 Having performed this process once round, he in- 

 stantly, in the twinkling of an eye, erected straight his 



