Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/215

168 was much too small, and, relinquishing it, proceeded on his travels.

Presently he came to shell No. 2, that he had tried in vain yesterday; that essay, however, he had evidently forgotten, or at least did not recognise the shell; for he immediately began to turn it about, rolling it over and over with his sharp feet, twisting the Actinia most awry. He carefully examined the interior, feeling it all over with both claws, and trying every spot as far as he could reach; this examination he continued for perhaps five minutes, and then, as if satisfied, drewoutdrew out [sic] his feet and made an essay to quit his own shell. It was apparent that the exposure of his soft person was considered somewhat dangerous, for he first felt with his antennæ in all directions around, vibrating them up and down, and partly coming out and retreating several times before he ventured. At length, however, out he popped, and into the new house as quickly, where he turned and settled himself comfortably. There was not much difference in dimensions between the shells, but, as I have said, what there was, was in favour of his original dwelling.

He remained in his new quarters for ten minutes or more, moving about a little, but never for an instant letting go his old house, on which he pertinaciously kept his feet, occasionally putting in his pincers to feel the interior. At length he decided that, inconvenient as it was, it was better than the new one; and therefore he returned to it, as he had done the previous day, and relinquished the attempt.

The day following he repeated the same process of temporary exchange, walking about for a considerable