TUBICOLA. 371 



lie concealed in a cave /' therefore PJiolas^ " she who lies 

 concealed in a cave/^ is a beautifully appropriate name, and 

 designates a retiring disposition and local habitation. 



Pamily XVIII. Tubicola. 



Whj so long, 

 E'en as strange creatures, have ye cross'd our paths, 

 Unheeded like driven leaves, which no one cared 

 To look upon ? 



The animal of the Tiihicola is furnished with a small 

 bivalve shell, either entirely free, or partially or wholly im- 

 bedded within the substance of a testaceous tube. This 

 tube does not apparently form an immediate part of the 

 organization of the animal, but merely an accessory, yet 

 important, agent in protecting its inhabitant. 



MoUusks of this curious family are found buried in 

 w^ood, though mostly lithophagous ; they perforate the 

 holes and cavities by aid, no doubt, of a pow^erful solvent 

 secretion from the glands. Pive genera are referred to this 

 family — Aspergillmny Clavagella, Fistidana, Gastrochana, 

 and Teredo. 



The shell of Aspergillum is extremely curious, and de- 

 serving of particular description. It is oval, equivalve, and 



2 B re 



