268 



CONCHIFERA. 



Soleu — if he can catch it ; but unless very quick in 

 his movements, those of the Solen may be quicker, 

 and once aware of the impending danger, the sen- 

 sible shell-fish will not come up again, but submits 



Fig. 20J. — ANIMAL OF RAZOR-SHELL. 



patiently to be salted alive rather than run the risk 

 of being caught and roasted, or else cut up for a bait. 

 — Professor Edwaed Forbes. 



The Stone-borers {Saxieava)"^. These shell-fish 

 generally bore in limestone rocks. Wherever we 

 have a sea-coast of mountain limestone, the substance 

 of the rock is almost invariably riddled by them. 

 Some years ago it was discovered that the whole 

 front of the Plymouth breakwater had been attacked 

 by these excavators, and great alarm was excited for 

 its safety. Luckily they do not drive their tunnels 



* Saxum, a stone ; cavo, to scoop, to tore through. 



