SECTION V. lit 



itfelf, as the Shell. And, could we fee 

 th^ recent fifli, and examine its organs^ I 

 doubt not but we fliould find the rudiments 

 of a proper apparatus for making the Epi- 

 dermis as well as the Shell. 



* Tlie ftrufture of this Epidermis Is very- 

 different in different genera. In fome 

 laminated, in fome fibrous and bru(h-like, 

 &c. It deferves to be more minutely exa- 

 mined, and it feems not improbable but 

 among the feveral ufes of this covering the 

 two following may deferve confideration. 



Firfl, to prevent the fait water from cor- 

 roding the Shell. For all Shells that have 

 the Epidermis have a fcabrous furface. 



Secondly, to prevent other Shell-fifti oc 

 marine infe£ls from fixing their habita- 

 tions on thefe Shells, as they do upo-n all 

 bodies in the fea, where there is not a power 

 of defence. 



And this makes me imagine that the 

 fifh inhabiting all naturally poliftied Shells 



whatever^, 



