the Alctonium. 85* 



Pea, and contains feveral embryo Shells ; which, as they ap- 

 proach towards Maturity, diftend their Covering, and iVce 

 open a Valve-like Door, fituated in the front Edge of 

 this litde Bladder, by which they creep out, and fiiift for 

 themfelves. 



Fig. h^ Plate XXXII. is the natural Size of one of thefe 

 Balls. • 



Fig ^ I, is a fmgle Matrix^ or Bladder, laid open, to 

 fhew the natural Size of the embryo Shells. 



Fig. B^ is the fame, a little magnified, with the Valve in 

 the Front. 



The wonderful Care that Nature takes in the Productions 

 of fome of the fame Tribe of Shell-fifh, is fhewn in a ftill 

 more furprizing Manner in that Species of Buccinum called 

 by Do6lor Lifter ; 



Buccinimi ampuUatum claviaila fulcata^ una parte cujuf que pi.^te 

 orbis in planum cojnpreffa. Lijler, Plate 878, and 879. xxxiir. 



Called by fome, the Tower of Ba6el Fia-fhell. 



This breeds in great Plenty on fome of the Coafts of 

 North America^ efpecially on the Shore from Ne'w York to 

 Virginia. 



The Ovaries, or Matrices^ are of a comprefled oval Form, 

 and fome of them of the Shape of the Limpet, or Patella^ 

 but flatter at the Top. 



Thefe are united on one Side to a tough pliable Liga- 

 ment, fo near to each other as to feem to lie on one an- 

 other. On the front Edge, oppofite to where they are fa- 

 ftened, is the arched Door, by which the young ones, when 



they 



