THE STRUCTURE OF THE OYSTER. 71 



reason why we have introduced, with some little hesitation, 

 into our work any structural details of these celebrated, 

 though badly-treated, bivalves. But we warn the reader, 

 if he is about to indulge in an oyster supper, not to read 

 the description we are giving, lest by any chance it should 

 blunt the edge of his appetite." 



" Stupid as an oyster" has become a proverb. Of this 

 Shakespeare was cognisant, as is evident when Benedick, 

 describing the strange change that had passed on Claudio, 

 says : " He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose, 

 like an honest man and a soldier, and now is he turned 

 orthographer ; his words are a very fantastical banquet 

 just so many strange dishes. May I be so converted, and 

 see with these eyes ? I cannot tell ; I think not ; I will 

 riot be sworn, but love may transform me to an oyster ; 

 but I'll take my oath on it, till he have made an oyster of 

 me, he shall never make me such a fool." (3) 



It is said of some persons, "they have no head." Not 

 that they are supposed to resemble the sign of " the good 

 woman," which may, perhaps, sometimes be seen as a 

 headless figure ; much less that they walk abroad as the 

 Parisians say St. Denis did, carrying his head in his hand. 

 The declaration is evidently figurative, and denotes that 

 such persons make no proper use of their heads, and act 

 with so total a want of all thought and discretion, that it 

 is as if they had actually none. 



But to say an oyster has no head is to state a literal 

 fact. Accordingly it is ranged by naturalists among head- 

 less beings ; (Acephala) and unquestionably it is manifestly 

 inferior to those which are gifted with a brain. Such 

 creatures, prepared for a higher order of instinct, often 

 (b) " Much Ado about Nothing," Act 2, Scene 3. 



