OR, GLIMPSES BENEATH THE WATERS. 



mented with two white stripes, darts from beneath 

 those claws and mouth, and, snatching away the rich 

 morsel, disappears as suddenly as it came, leaving 

 the expectant mouth and astonished claws both 

 empty. The mystery of this seemingly compound 

 creature having, as it were, a first-self living outside 

 the house and getting a separate living, a second- 

 self located in the front parlour, and prevented from 

 eating its own dinner by a third-self residing in the 

 back parlour, may be easily explained, now that 

 the persevering observations of our naturalists have 

 solved it. It is as follows : — 



The internal dweller in the front parlour is the 

 Hermit Crab [Faguras JPrideauxii)^ a creature seldom 

 contented with its own pretty solid habitation, but 

 ever seeking some further protection, which it gene- 

 rally finds in an empty Whelk-shell. It is, moreover, 

 very particular as to fit^ and other details ; for it has 

 been observed, when looking out for a house, to try 

 and reject many before finally adopting an abode. 

 The inhabitant of the back parlour is the Sea- Worm, 

 Nereis bilineata^ a creature which, instinctively 

 knowing the voracious propensities of the Crab, and 

 determining to share his abundant feasts, seizes his 

 opportunity, when mine host of the Whelk-shell is 

 pretty well surfeited and in a semi-dormant state, 



75 



