on the Chitonide. 31 
scales of Chiton, from their more constant motion, rarely afford a rest- 
ing-place to the Serpule and other bodies which are so often dispersed 
over the broad and solid scuta. The Zoologist, while he takes the size 
and leading characters of the species from full-grown specimens, will 
do well to colour from young ones, which are commonly free from any 
incrustations or injuries. I have observed that some species, of which it 
is commonly impossible to find specimens not corroded and spoiled, are 
in certain localities beautifully perfect, and that many species are altoge= 
ther local, and confined to particular coasts and reefs. 
In the 10th number of the Zoological Journal, p. 193, Mr. Frembly 
has given some of the most interesting observations which have ever been 
made on these animals. His mode of killing them, however, is very 
faulty, and would lead to the loss of the greater part of the specimens. 
Their beauty will in all cases depend on the mode in which they are cap- 
tured and killed. The finest specimens will of course be those which 
are preserved in spirit, and exhibit no contraction of the zone. I have, 
however, been able to dry the whole animal with so great success, that 
specimens long preserved can scarcely be distinguished from living ones. 
The capture of them, from the violence of the surf, I have sometimes 
found a dangerous occupation, the waves having nearly carried me from 
the rocks, The Naturalist should choose the hour of lowest tide on a 
calm day, and go prepared with a blunt, round-pointed dinner-kmife, a 
few negro calabashes, or a small keg with a smooth interior, and sus- 
pended bya string. These should be half filled with sea-water. Speci- 
mens found on smooth stones may, with little force, be slided off into the 
keg to the sides of which they will immediately attach themselves in their 
natural position. If they are found on rough coral, or uneven rock, the 
knife must be suddenly inserted under the zone, and the animal turned 
up: or if the coral be soft, asmall chisel may be forced under the spot 
occupied, and the animal secured without injury. The adhesion, which 
is slight when they are undisturbed, on the slightest alarm becomes so 
great, that they cannot, when on hard rocks, be secured without lacerating 
the sides. By the time they are carried home, all will have attached 
themselves to the wooden vessel, and the cold water having been poured 
out, scalding water must be suddenly dashed on them, and not poured 
gently through a tea-kettle, Few will fall or bend their bodies : as soon 
