Cap. XI V. The Canbby-Iflands. 



or (lime, as the ordinary Snail does , but as foon as they are 

 produc'd out of tome corrupted matter, or otherwife, they 

 have this inftincr (to fecure the weaknefs of their little bodies 

 againft the injui ies of the air, and the attempts f other Beafts) 

 to leek out feme empty habitation, and to take pofleflion of 

 fiich a (hell as they find moft convenient for them, within 

 which they fit and accommodate themfelves , as Souldiers, 

 who having no fetled habitation take up their quarters in other 

 mens houfes, according to their neceflities, and the then pre- 

 fent pofture of their affairs. 



They are commonly leen in the (hells of Periwincles, or 

 great Sea-Snails, which they find on the (hore, whither they are 

 caft by the waves upon the death of the fifti which had been 

 the firft inhabitant thereof : but indeed thefe little Souldiers 

 are found in all forts of other (hells caft up by the Sea, nay 

 even the (hells of the Liene-nuts^ and (bme have took up their 

 quarters in the clawes of great dead Crabs. They have this 

 further Induftry, that as they grow bigger they fhift fhells ac- 

 cording to the proportion of their bodies, and take a larger, in- 

 to which they enter, quitting the former: fo that they are of 

 feverjl forms and figures, according to the diverfity of the 

 fhells they pofiefs themfelves of : It is probably of thefe Souldi- 

 ers that r/zVyfpeaks, under the name of a kind of fmall Grab, 

 to which he attributes the fame properties : their bodies are 

 very tender except their heads and clawes : they have inftead 

 of a foot, and for a defenfrve weapon (bme inftrument that is 

 like the claw of a great Crab, wherewith they clofe the en- 

 trance of their (hells, and fecure their whole body : it is all 

 jagged within, and it holds fofaft whatever it fattens on, that 

 it takes away the piece with it. This Infecl: marches fafter then 

 the common Snail, and fouls not with its foam or fliminefs the 

 place over which it hath pafs'd. 



When this Souldier is taken he grows angry, and makes a 

 noife : to make him quit the habitation he hath taken up, there 

 needs only tofet him neer the fire, and immediately he for- 

 fakes his Quarters : if it be prefented to him to get into it 

 again, he goes in backwards : when there are many of them 

 met together with an intention at the fame time to quit their 

 former lodgings, and to take up new ones, which they are all 

 much inchn'd to do, they enter into a great conteftation, there 

 happens a ferious engagement which is manag'd with the (aid 

 clafping inftrument, till at length the weaker is foredtofub- 

 mit to the victorious , who prefently poflefies himfelf of the 

 (hell , which he afterwards peaceably enjoys as a precious 

 conqueft. 



Some of the Inhabitants eat of them, as the common Snails 

 are eaten in fome parts among us : but they are more fit for 

 Phyfickthen Food j for being got out of their (hells there may 



be 



