SCAPHANDER LIGNARIUS. 293 



from top to base. No movement of fluids could be 

 detected, but in a short time it was found that the 

 spines were immersed in mucus, mostly at the top. 

 From the above facts I am strongly inclined to 

 believe that the seat of the mucus is at the base of 

 the spines. I hope shortly to be able to bring 

 before you the results of a few other exiDeriments 

 on the same subject. 



Scaphander lignarius, Linn. 



[Read yoth March, 1886.] 



Although this mollusc may sometimes burrow to 

 some extent; yet, from the character of the animal 

 remains found in its gizzard, it must frequently be 

 on the surface, particularly as it is commonly taken 

 in the dredge. As its whole body is generally much 

 reflexed over the exterior of the shell, it seems 

 hopelessly exj^osed to the attacks of its enemies, 

 being destitute of sufficient power of motion to 

 facilitate its escape, and appearing to have no other 

 compensating weapon of defence. It has a shell, it 

 is true; but one would think that it is more 

 obviously of use for spreading its white body upon, 

 than for any protection thereby afforded to the 

 mollusc against proving a lure for the first i^assing 

 cod. The wonder is how a single one of such a 

 tempting - looking bait is left by the hosts of 

 marauding fishes that swarm over the bottom of 

 the sea. Although fishes are no doubt rapacious 

 enough ; yet they have likings of their own that 

 are well known to those who cater to their taste, 

 and we may assume that the reward of those 

 caterers is in proportion to their skill. They must 

 not only know what will generally please each 

 individual fish, but what will be most acceptable 

 at certain seasons, modifying the entertainment for 

 each day according to the particular state of the 

 weather. The sportsman's book of flies is quite a 

 museum of appetising allurements that would tax 

 the skill of the arch-cook of Canterbury better to 



