112 Beautiful Shells. 
resembles leather, being very tough and wrinkled; 
the edges of this mantle extend beyond the borders 
of the plates, which overlap each other, so as to 
constitute a kind of armour, very different from 
the conical shell of the Limpet, or the turbinated, 
that is twisted, case of some of the Borers. The 
coverings of the Chitons are variously marked, so 
that each distinct species is known by its peculiar 
pattern, as a knight of old by the quarterings of 
his shield. All the mantles, however, have scaly, 
hairy, or spiny margins. In this coat of mail the 
animal can roll itself up like an armadillo, and so 
be tolerably secure from its enemies ; it has an oval 
foot, the sides of which are covered with small 
leaflets, and by means of this it can attach itself 
to rocks, like the Limpet, or travel about in search 
of adventures. It has no distinct head, therefore 
it is acephalous; nor any perceptible eyes. The 
mouth is furnished with a long tongue, curled up 
spirally, like a watch-spring, and armed with horny 
teeth. 
The members of the Chiton family are numerous, 
being found on most rocky shores; they attain 
the largest size in the hottest climates, having 
never been found very far north. The British 
Species are small, and not more than two or three 
