Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/216

Rh time with his new abode, and yet at length resuming the old one.

On a subsequent occasonoccasion [sic] I saw another individual of the same species reduced to the condition of a "houseless wanderer". The whelk-shell which it inhabited had been laid hold of by the sucking feet of a Sea Urchin (Echinus miliaris), the Soldier having rested in unconscious proximity to this adhesive subject. The rest of the Urchin's feet were firmly moored to the solid rock, so that when the Crab attempted to walk, he found his home-shell immoveable. What was to be done? He was probably hungry after his repose, and food must be sought. After vainly dragging for a few minutes, he chose the alternative of exposure, let go his posterior hold, slipped from the shell, and wandered naked. Half a day he roamed in this defenceless state, till, meeting with a large whelk-shell empty, he gladly popped in, and, though the tenement was inconveniently ample, kept possession, wisely judging that inconvenience was preferable to danger.

It is a doubtful point whether the Soldier is a murderer and free-booter, like Ahab in Naboth's vineyard, slaying before he takes possession, whenever he happens to fancy a tenanted shell, or whether he merely makes free with a house that he finds unoccupied. Wishing to settle the point, I procured a living Whelk of about the size to suit the Crab's necessity, and put it into the tank, when the latter was in the state of uneasiness described above. But, though they were thus thrown into association for several days, the Soldier never made the least assault upon the living Mollusk, nor attempted to take his shell.