SHORES OF THE CLYDE AND FIRTH. 
113 
will set him free once more in the depths of his native 
element. Taking him down the rocks, to the verge of the 
sea below, to give him a better chance of getting beyond 
harm's way, we give him an easy pitch out. This is a new 
experience for master crab, but he does not relish it — an 
aerial flight inspires him with mortal terror ; in his plight 
he knows he is in no way bodily attached to his temporary 
home. Unfixing then his claw-hold of the interior apex of 
the shell, he springs out of the horrid place, and drops like 
a stone into the sea, while the shell falls half-a-dozen yards 
beyond. This is rather a tragic parting with his shelly 
HERMIT CRAB IN SHELL. 
protector ; will he have any chance of recovering it ? This 
question reminds us that we have another crab and a 
cloaklet separate in our tank, which we found in our dredge 
contents. Let us now bring them together, and wait the 
result. 
While thus engaged, we have a favourable opportunity 
of viewing the crab's construction. On the right we notice 
he is armed with a long, powerful nipper, and on the left 
with another of the same construction, but not half the size 
of the former ; these are his w^ar implements, and behind 
them, on both sides, he has a pair of legs which he uses 
exclusively for locomotive purposes. On the top of his 
