PORTABLE HOUSE OP THE HERMIT CRAB. 219 



THE PORTABLE HOUSE OP THE HERMIT 

 CRABS, 



AND WHAT ARE CARRIED ON THE ROOFS. 



The hermit crab is by no means a soHtary individ- 

 ual, since many are often found together. He can 

 scarcely lay claim to so respectable a name, and might 

 much more appropriately have been called the robber 

 burglar, or even the assassin crab, since he often gets 

 possession of the portable dwelling in which he lives 

 by killing and eating its rightful inmate and possessor. 

 But the law that governs the lives of lower animals, 

 whatever may be that obeyed by man, is a very simple 

 one — to eat, and not be eaten ; and all their wonderful 

 instincts, aside from those connected with their young, 

 are directed to this end. 



Having eaten, and made his dinner serve the 

 double purpose of satisfying hunger and obtaining for 

 him a protection against being eaten, the hermit crab 

 proceeds to back into his new dwelling and fill it up 

 with his soft unprotected hinder parts, while he al- 

 lows his strongly armored limbs and formidable claws 

 to project in front. 



As he walks about he drags his house after him 

 and bids defiance to his enemies, for he is a great 

 fighter and always ready for single combat with his 

 kind. 



While still young and of small size hermit crabs 



