It is another dodge, of course, to escape
from enemies. The Lobster, whose picture you see, has a life-story much
like that of the Crab. He, also, grows too big for his suit of armour,
and casts it off in a wonderful manner, but only after a great deal of
trouble. In his new suit he is very weak and soft--an easy prey to the
first enemy to find him. He cannot defend himself then; he can only lie
helplessly on his side, waiting for his coat to harden. He is so weak
that his soft legs cannot bear the weight of his body.
[Illustration: HERMIT CRABS FIGHTING.]
Needless to say, the Lobster always finds a secure retreat before
casting off his protecting coat of armour. A hole under a rock suits him
well at that time. Strange to say, he seems to dislike his old clothes,
and often crunches them to pieces or eats them up, or even pushes them
under the sand or stones! Then he marches out like a proud warrior,
knowing his strength, and the power of his great claws.
Lobsters are fond of fighting, and must be very disagreeable neighbours.
They can swim along by using the little "swimmerets" under their bodies.
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