46 



CHAPTER YIII. 



THE RAZOR-SHAPED SHELL. HAUNTS OF THE ANIMAL. — FOOD, ' FAUTE 



DE MIEUX.' CAUGHT BY CRAFT, OR TAKEN BY ASSAULT. — MOTION. 



KINDS ON THE BRITISH COASTS. — CERATISOLEN AND SOLECURTUS. 



SOLENIDJE, OR RAZOR-SHELLS, and SOLECUBTID.^. 



Without entering into the question whether the genus Solen 

 is riglitly regarded as the single representative of a family, 

 or whether other genera might rightly be connected with it, 

 it may be remarked that no other shells so nearly resemble 

 in form the true Solenes, as to be difiicult to distinguish 

 from them. The very peculiar tube-like appearance of the 

 two valves when placed in opposition, the closeness of the 

 hinge ligament to the anterior extremity, and the long tri- 

 angular area leading to the truncated hinder end, are so pe- 

 culiar, as to make the Solen stand alone. The structure of 

 the animal, and its habits, are no less curious and interest- 

 ing. The animal of course partakes the cylindrical shape of 



