40 



BRANCH MOLLUSCA. 



FIG. 57. 



FIG. 56. 



So'len in' sis. 

 Razor-clam Shell. 



it, though buried several inches in the mud, to draw in 



clear water, which alone it covets. 



The Razor-clam is found 

 on sandy beaches. Its foot 

 is capable of being greatly 

 elongated and of insinuat- 

 ing itself into the sand for 

 several inches. It is then 

 distended with water, form- 

 ing a hole, into which the 

 remainder of the animal can 

 be drawn. The eye-spots of 

 the Razor-clam are placed 

 upon the siphons. 



The Ship -worm is the 

 most aberrant (ab er'rant) 

 of bivalves, and causes a 

 yearly damage of thousands 

 of dollars. The young of 

 this animal is a free swim- 

 mer, but soon comes to rest on some 



Sd'len Sri sis. 

 Razor-clam. 



Te r2' do no, va' Its. Ship-worm. S, Siphons. B, Elongated 

 body. C, Rudimentary shell. 



submerged timber, as the exposed hull of a ship, or the 

 spiles of a bridge. Into this the animal bores, and in a 

 short time forms long calcareous tunnels, which, while 



