220 IXTEODUCTION TO COXCHOLOGY. 



design of colouring, resembles a convex shield, supported on 

 either side by a raised, triangular, wing-like growth, forming, 

 as it were, the radii of a circular plate, which meet together 

 in the terminal valve. The shells possess considerable 

 beauty when closely examined, and few are more exquisitely 

 framed. The Lineated Chiton, C. lineatus, is of an orange- 

 yellow, elegantly striped at the sides, with red white-edged 

 lines obliquely ranged and lightly waved ; the shell of the 

 Fulvous Chiton, C. fulvus, presents a series of fine opal 

 thread-like hues upon a dark fulvous-brown colour, as if 

 superadded by artificial means in body colour ; and among 

 numerous others that might be instanced for their ex- 

 ceeding beauty, the finely-streaked Chiton, C. striolatus, is 

 covered with dehcate transverse strise, so exquisitely minute 

 as only to be discovered by the aid of a powerful lens. A 

 stranger in looking at them might imagine that the con- 

 structors were active, energetic creatures, with every sense 

 and faculty in full exercise. This, however, is not the 

 case. They pass their sedentary existence in situations 

 almost inaccessible, but which the energy of recent travellers 

 enabled them to penetrate, either by dredging in deep 

 waters, or exploring storm-beaten shores, or searching 

 under isolated masses of rock at about low-water mark. 



