48 Hozu Sammy Went to Coral-Land 
the family in the extreme North, and 
others in dark, under-ground caves. 
Like almost all of the crustaceans, the 
crabs and lobsters cast their shells every 
year. Besides indulging in this habit 
himself, the Hermit-Crab had once wit¬ 
nessed the toilet of a large lobster, and 
he gave Sammy a graphic description of 
the operation. 
It seems that some days before it was 
time for him to get his new suit, Mr. 
Lobster retired to a quiet place, gave up 
all society, and fasted rigorously. Of 
course this severe treatment soon caused 
him to lose flesh ; he became thinner and 
thinner and the shell grew looser and looser. 
After awhile he grew restless. Evidently 
his peace of mind and body was much dis¬ 
turbed, for he rolled about, scratched 
himself, and crawled here and there as if 
distracted. Soon after this his shell split 
