208 



THE UNIVERSE 



Hermit (soldier-crab and hermit-crab) which are given to 

 these curious brigands of our shores. 



Certain insects are less ferocious and much more in- 

 telligent in their manners. Too weak to bear the injurious 

 action of the air, their larva knows hoAV to cut out for itself 

 a suit of clothes. The cloth of these, felted with great care, 

 enlarges in proportion to the growth of the larva, which 





124. The Soldier-crab (Pagurm Miles) in its usurped Domicile. 



makes continual additions to it. Should the reader amuse 

 himself Avith despoiling the worm of its covering it imme- 

 diately fabricates another. And as its toil is incessant, if 

 Ave place it upon cloths of different colours, it forms for 

 itself a perfect harlequin's dress made of part3''-coloured 

 morsels and patches. This insect is the clothes-moth. 

 Tinea sarcitella (Fabricius), unfortunately too common in 

 our Avardrobes, and Avhich, after imdergoing its metamor- 

 phosis, displays to us a little butterfly of surprising beauty. 

 Certain aquatic larvae, not finding the fine cloth dress 



