458 
THE HERMIT-CRAB, 
among the shelly race, being a soft, pale yellow, very like the chrysalis case of the oak egger- 
moth, which, indeed, it also resembles in shape. 
The color of the Symnista is very pale yellow. Its claws . are suddenly broad, rather 
sharp, and bent over at a right angle. The antennae are long and beautifully fringed with 
hairs. It is a small species, only two or three inches in length. 
The general shape of the Oar-foot Cbab points it out as allied to the preceding species, 
although the antennae are not so long, and their fringe not so conspicuous. 
The name of Oar-foot is given to this species on account of the curious modification by 
which the false feet are developed into oar-like appendages with fiat blades, which serve for 
swimming like the hinder feet of the swimming-crabs. The last ring of the abdomen is 
changed into a flattened and pointed paddle. The carapace is convex and of a tolerably 
regular oval. This species is a native of New Holland, and never attains to any great size. 
We now come to a singular group of crabs which are remarkable for their soft and shell 
less tails, and the mode employed to protect them. From their solitary habits they are called 
Hermit-crabs, and from their extreme combativeness they have earned the title of Soldier- 
crabs. 
The best known of these Crustacea is the- common Hermit-crab ( Pagurus berniiardus), 
which we have chosen for the accompanying colored illustration. Like all its race, the Hermit- 
crab inhabits the shell of some mollusk, in which it can bury its unprotected tail, and into 
which it can retreat when threatened with danger. The Hermit-crab usurps the deserted home 
of various mollusks, according to its size, so that, when young and small, it is found in the 
shells of the tops, periwinkles, and other small mollusks ; and when it reaches full age, it 
takes possession of the whelk-shell and entirely fills its cavity. 
Any one may find these odd crabs by watching a rock pool after the tide has gone down. 
There are always plenty of shells in such places, and if the observer will remain very quiet, he 
will see one of the apparently empty shells suddenly turn over, and begin to run along at a 
great pace, much faster than if it had been inhabited by its usual occupant. On the least 
movement of the spectator, the shell stops as abruptly as it had started into action, and rolls 
over as before, seemingly dead and empty. 
On picking it up, the mystery will be revealed, for within the shell will be seen an odd 
little crab, with a body curved so as to fit exactly round the shell, with one claw small and 
one very large. If it be touched it retreats still farther into the shell, and defies any attempt 
to pull it out. Even if a claw be grasped, the creature cannot easily be withdrawn, and clings 
so tightly to its home that in most cases it may be torn asunder rather than loosen its hold. 
It is enabled to hold thus firmly by means of a pair of pincers situated at the end of the tail, 
and which are indeed the last pair of legs modified for that purpose. Sometimes the creature 
can be coaxed, as it were, out of its shell by a long and steady pull, but, as a general rule, to 
get a Hermit-crab uninjured out of its abode is a very difficult task. 
I have often accomplished it by putting the shell upon an open actinia. The crab, feeling 
the tentacles of the actinia gradually surrounding its limbs, and not liking the aspect of the 
living gulf into which it is rapidly descending, makes the best of its way out of the shell, and 
can be snatched up before it has found time to recover its presence of mind. Sometimes a 
Hermit-crab may be captured while the inhabitant is three parts outside its shelly house, but, 
on the least alarm, the creature flies back to the farthest recesses of its home as if worked by a 
spring. 
This crustacean is wonderfully combative, and will fight on scant provocation. Anything 
will serve for a cause of war, such as a piece of meat, a smaller crab, or a shell to which 
another individual happens to take a fancy. If two Hermits be removed from their houses, 
and put into a rock pool with only one shell in it, the combats which take place for the 
possession of that solitary shell are as fierce and determined as any that have taken place in 
the tourney or the field of battle. As with most of the crustaceans, the victor always eats his 
fallen foe ; and even though he be bereft of a few legs, he seems to care nothing for the loss, 
but eats away with perfect appetite. 
