34 



The Nidus of Lunatia-heros . 



show like consideration for its neighbor. On the contrary, it is 

 ahBost cannibal in its tastes. Dr. J. M. Crocker, of Cambridge, 

 Mass. , states that he has caught the Lunatia in the act of boring 

 through the shell of a Quahaug in the most scientific manner, 

 holding its prey so tenaciously that in picking up the Lunatia he 

 lifted up Quahaug and all. It is supposed that the creature secretes 

 an acid which softens the shell of its victim. But the main work of 

 perforation is done by the odontophore, which is a cartilaginous strap 

 armed with sharp transversely disposed teeth. This is worked 

 backward and forward after the manner of a saw by the strong 

 muscles to which it is attached. It is claimed that most of the 

 round perforations so commonly found in shells cast on the beach 

 are the work of the Lunatia. 



Odontophore or Lingual Band of Lunatia-heros. 



The lingual band of a Lunatia, mounted by Dr. Crocker, meas- 

 ures -^ inch in v\ridth. There are in each row two excessively 

 sharp curved teeth -^ inch in length, besides three blunter median 

 teeth. 



The Lunatia is evidently the "Drill," who with the starfish and 

 winkle have been doing injury among the New England oyster 

 beds of sufficient magnitude to warrant the recent investigations 

 of the representatives of the United States fish commission on 

 board the U. S. Steamer "Fish-hawk." 



Bodily removal in each case seems to be the only suggested cure 

 of the evils. 



