In the first place, the crab would not, if he could help it, allow himself to be handled even in the most gentle manner. To overcome this difficulty the shell had to be broken. This was done; but, alas! the shock nearly killed the poor little Hermit. After some trouble, I carefully unwound his body from the whirls of the Top Shell, and proceeded to perform the intended operation. Reader, have you ever seen a child take a rose-bud in his hands, and force open its half-pouting blossom, in the belief that by so doing he was assisting nature? If so, you must have watched the puzzled expression of the boy's countenance when he beheld the leaves fall one by one at his feet, and the bud itself exhibit evident signs of approaching decay. In just such a position did I stand with regard to the poor Hermit-Crab, for, in spite of all my care in manipulation, the skin of the animal was so tender and delicate that the first gentle pinch caused a puncture which proved fatal; and as to drawing off the covering, the thing I now believe to be impossible, even under the most favourable circumstances. The upper portion of the Soldier-Crab, I may mention, is cast off in one piece, while the animal is seated in its turbinated dwelling. The act is performed with the most perfect ease. Unlike the _Brachyura_, the _Anomoura_ do not exhibit signs of such rapid growth immediately after exuviation, but increase in size very gradually indeed. CHAPTER VII. Prawns and Shrimps. 'Men holden ye therefore prophanes Ye eaten neither shrimps nor pranes,' VII. Although abundant at many parts of the Scottish coast, at Cockburnspath (situated near the mouth of the Frith of Forth) only, has the writer met with the very beautiful prawn, _Palæmon Squilla_. At this locality specimens were very frequent in rock-pools situated near the shore, nor were such difficult to capture. The small net being placed cautiously over their head, the animals did not show signs of resistance, until they found themselves, by a sudden jerk of the hand, drawn bodily out of the water. Then, indeed, unless some degree of skill was used, the captives would give a powerful spring, and escape, from the confinement of the net, to the more congenial element from which they had been so unceremoniously ejected. Prawns (_Palæmonidæ_) exuviate very frequently, in some instances as often as once or twice a month. No sooner is one coat thrown off and the Palæmon recovered from the weakness which the process occasions, than it commences, at first at intervals, and then almost incessantly day and night, preparations for a renewal of the wonderful operation.