64 THE FRIEND OF THE PINNA. 



ambassador at Constantinople says : — " The harbour of 

 Smyrna abounds with this large mussel, and also with 

 the cuttle-fish. I was one day crossing in a boat ; and 

 as the water was very clear, I saw several at the bottom, 

 and some pinnas opening, while others were closing their 

 shells. As I was curious to examine them, one of the 

 sailors leaped overboard, dived down, and brought up 

 several of the mussels, in every one of which was a 

 little crab. As soon as the pinna opened her shell he 

 appeared like a sentinel ; and when anything approached 

 he ran in, seemed to warn his friend, and the shell 

 closed." To this allusion is made in the following 

 lines : 



One room contains them, and the partners dwell 

 Beneath the convex of one sloping shell ; 

 Deep in the watery vast the comrades rove, 

 And mutual interest binds their constant love. 

 That wiser friend the lucky juncture tells 

 When in the circuit of his gaping shells 

 Fish wandering enter; then the bearded guide 

 "Warns the dull mate, and pricks his tender side ; 

 He knows the hint, nor at the treatment grieves. 

 But hugs the advantage, and the pain forgives ; 

 His closing shell the pinna sudden joins. 

 And 'twixt the pressing sides bis prey confines : 

 Thus fed by mutual aid, the friendly pair 

 Divide their gains, and all their plunder share. 



In one genus, anomia^ there is in the upper valve 



