STUDV X. 283 



formation of a vacuum, on the fhining furface of 

 the rocks, are of the colour of the ground which 

 they inhabit, in order to be lefs perceptible to 

 their enemies. 



m 



It is, farther, very highly worthy of obfervation, 

 that though many of thofe fedentary fliell-fifli are 

 clothed in a brown and Ihaggy outward garment, 

 as thofe which are called cornets and rollers ; or 

 with a black pellicle of the fliade of the pebbles 

 to which they are attached, as the Magellan- 

 mufcles ; or encompafled with a mud-coloured 

 tartar, as the lempit and the burgo : they have, 

 under their gloomy upper- coats, pearly appear- 

 ances and tints, the beauty of which frequently 

 exceed thofe of the fhell-fifh whofe apparent co- 

 lours are the moft brilliant. Thus the Magellan- 

 lempit, cleanfed of it's tartar by means of vinegar, 

 prefents the richeft of cups, (haded with the co- 

 lours of the fineft tortoife-ihell, and blended with 

 a burnillied gold, which is perceptible through a 

 chefnut-coloured varnilh. The large mufcle of 

 Magellan's ftrait conceals, in like manner, under 

 it's black coat, the oriental Ihades of the aurora. 



It is impoffible to afcribe, as in the fhell-fiQi of 

 India, colours fo charming, to the adion of the 

 Sun on thefe (hells, covered as they are with tar- 

 tars and rough coats, and which are the clothing 



of 



