236 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



hinge and valves noticed. A fine specimen was exhibited, and the 

 statement of authors who affirm that it extends the whole length 

 of the tube proved to be erroneous ; since these tubes, which are 

 formed by a peculiar secretion from the body of the animal, are 

 often many feet in length and circuitous in their course. This was 

 shown to be the fact, by a large piece of wood pierced in all direc- 

 tions. The manner in which it effects its passage and the appear- 

 ance of the interior of the tubes were described. The asbcrtiou 

 that the Teredo does not attack teak timber was shown to be in- 

 correct, and its destructive ravages on the bottom of ships exem- 

 plified, by a relation of the providential escape of H. M. S. Sceptre, 

 which having lost some copper from off her bows, the timbers were 

 pierced through to such an extent, as to render her incapable of 

 pursuing her voyage without repair. — The lecturer then exhibited 

 the formation of the tubes (through an extent of several feet) in a 

 plank of African timber. Hence the opinion, that the Teredo is 

 attached to one end of the shelly tube, was considered to be erro- 

 neous, as in this case it would have exceeded seven feet in length. 

 The opinion that the animal revolved was also presumed to be un- 

 founded, for then only one valve (from the peculiar construction 

 of the head) would be effective; whereas by a semi-volution, both 

 are called into action ; while from its very tender state, and the con- 

 torted direction of the tubes, it must of necessity be twisted up, if 

 such revolution took place. — Mr. Willcox then noticed the habits 

 and ceconomy of the Pholades, exhibiting some specimens both in 

 the living and dead state. Their manner of boring was explained, 

 their phosphorescence shown, and their ravages described. — The 

 lecturer next adverted to an insect called the Lepisma, and con- 

 cluded by stating, that these minute depredators were frequently so 

 numerous, that 300 will occasionally be found in the space of two 

 inches square, and their attack commences the moment the timber 

 is in the water, more particularly in the eastern part of the globe. 



An interesting debate followed, as to the mode of action of the 

 valves of the Teredo; in the course of which Mr. Willcox observed, 

 that he thought Dr. Turton, in his observations relative to Sir 

 E. Home's opinion on the modus operandi of this animal, had mis- 

 taken the action of the double-nosed auger, and had described it as 

 a centre bit ; but that their opinions of the method of boring ad- 

 mitted of being reconciled ; the mode appearing to be, that by a 

 secretion from its body, the decomposition of the material is ef- 

 fected and reduced to a species of soft mud or pulp, which is me- 

 chanically removed, and a fine polished surface left. This idea, 

 whilst it agrees with many of the statements, does not invalidate the 

 experiments made on the charcoal produced by burning the excre- 

 mentitious matter, and meets the difficulty which at first appears, as 

 to the possibility of such fragile animals piercing materials of so 

 hard a texture. 



At the conclusion of this lecture, the Curator of the Museum, 

 drew a comparison between the recent Teredines and the fossil re- 

 mains of that animal, as exhibited in specimens of wood, from the 

 London clay of Shoppy; showing that though the precise identity 



of 



