Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/217

170 After the proceeding observations were written, my esteemed relative James A. Salter, Esq. mentioned in conversation that he had witnessed the process of the Soldier's "moving house". At my request he has favoured me with the following particulars, which, while they agree with my own observations in essential points, superadd some interesting details.

"I have many times found Hermit-crabs out of their Shells in the mingled mass of a dredge-haul, and on three occasions have watched the method in which the houseless creature domiciliates himself. These were the only occasions on which I endeavoured to observe the operation: they always seem willing enough to exhibit their housing performance.

My plan of observation was simply this:—I put a naked crab into a large glass jar of sea water with one shell, the latter of size about proportioned to the former; and then I contemplated. In each case the crab proceeded in the same way.

Appearing to see the shell in the distance the animal crawled up to it for the purpose of seeing if the house were to let; and this circumstance he discovered not by sight, but touch. Upon reaching the shell he hooked two of his legs into its open mouth, and thrusting them as far down into its cavity as possible, commenced scrambling round the edge: he was evidently probing to discover if there were already an inhabitant. In each case the crab pursued this probing operation in the same direction—commencing on the projecting side of the shell, and ending on the receding side. Having performed this process once round, he instantly, in the twinkling of an eye, erected straight his