38 POPULAR BRITISH CONCHOLOGY. 



as stated in the following account by Mr. Bean : — " To some 

 of the fishermen of our coast it appeared to be well known 

 by the name of the ^ Bacca Box/ from a fancied resem- 

 blance. The specimens were taken by the hook, and res- 

 cued from destruction in a singular manner. The first, from 

 which our figure was taken, was destined for a tobacco-box ; 

 the second had the honour of holding the grease belong- 

 ing to the boat establishment ; and the third, after amusing 

 them (the members of a philosophical society) by squirting 

 water to the ceiling, was at last seen by a learned friend, 

 purchased for a trifle, and generously placed in our cabinet. 

 The animal we have not seen, but its colour is black." 



A large species (P. Australis) is found on the coast of 

 South Africa; it makes known its presence by the hole 

 through which its tube protrudes, but resists all the efforts 

 of the sailors to take it, by withdrawing its tube, just as 

 the earthworm does ; and if its persecutors are relentless 

 enough to follow up the pursuit, they can only do so by 

 digging in the mud for it. 



