176 POPULAR BRITISH CONCHOLOGY. 



expanded; and the Natica flaps along above the sand. A 

 great peculiarity in the animal of this family is the existence 

 of an operculigerous lobe, which in the polished species 

 nearly covers the shell, and is seen in our figure mounting 

 up behind and partly covering the sides/'' 



Thus the Natica is seen in three very different aspects : 

 — first, wJien shut up in his shell at rest ; secondly, when, 

 deserted by the tide, he wraps up a part of his shell by the 

 lobes of his mantle, and coils up the front flaps of his foot 

 into an instrument for perforating the sand; and thirdly, 

 when under water in full motion, with his broadly expanded 

 foot undulating as he walks or swims. At the latter exercise, 

 to which his fin-like expansions must particularly adapt him, 

 he is by no means inexpert ; and in captivity has been ob- 

 served to prefer it to the more sedate movement of crawling. 



Par from adopting or favouring the vegetarian theory, so 

 popular in some circles, the Natica is more than suspected 

 of a strong penchant for animal food ; nor is he reported to 

 be moderate in his predaceous habits. Like his noble four- 

 footed exemplar, the lion, he has strong teeth on his tongue, 

 which would assist him in tearing and reducing his food. 

 The head is long, with a proboscis which is capable of being 

 withdrawn ; it is hidden by a kind of veil in front, bearing 



