TESTACEA. 49 



for twenty-six days, and perhaps for the whole period above specified. 

 A considerable time elapsed before it began to feed again. 



I had previously observed that a specimen taken in 1811, and re- 

 maining vigorous in 1812, when left in the country, floated in apparent 

 decay at the surface of the water in March 1813. I pierced the shell 

 with a needle, at a part more opaque, at a considerable distance from the 

 orifice, and removed the outside of half a volute. Then, tossing it back 

 into the water, I was surprised next day to find the animal crawling on 

 the glass. In the course of a fortnight it had made much progress in 

 repairing the breach in its shell. But just before reaching the original 

 part of the volute, the breach being of an intermediate portion, it re- 

 treated within and died. In this case had the repair of the breach been 

 completed, the formation of the tubular would have been perfected, from 

 uniting or connecting the two distant entire parts, which I was desirous 

 to have witnessed. The renovated portion of the shell was distinguished 

 by its extreme thinness and transparency. 



On another occasion, after a specimen had adhered to the side of a 

 vessel at least sixty days, in a state of desiccation, the animal had con- 

 tracted a whole volution from the orifice. An opening being now made 

 near the site of the head, while the temperature of an apartment was 54°. 

 I committed the specimen to water at 62°. No symptoms of animation 

 were betrayed during an hour, but in seven hoiirs, the animal had pro- 

 truded completely from the original orifice, which had remained unim- 

 paired, and began to feed. 



Naturalists have described the revival of such creatures after many 

 years desiccation, which leads me to believe that a number of different 

 specimens, removed from their native element, might be safely carried 

 from distant regions for inspection at home. An occasional supply of 

 salt or river water, or mere humidation, would suffice for preservation : 

 nor is it improbable, that, in case of necessity and avoiding heat, they 

 might survive desiccation dui-ing a long transit. 



After revival of the dormant animal, the augmentation or repair of 

 its dwelling seems dependent on the quantum of subsistence. The new 

 portion is neither ever nearly as opaque as the old ; nor is it of equal 



G 



