48 NOTES. 



in consequence of their extreme fineness, were enclosed in a box, 

 not larger than one of an ordinary size, such as is used for hold- 

 ing snuff. A rohe of the same singular materials, is mentioned 

 bv Procopius, as the gift of a Roman Emperor, to the Satrap of 

 Armenia. The animal inhabitant of the Pinna is a blind slug, to 

 which the Sepia or Cuttle fisli is a deadly foe. A kind of Crab 

 fish, naked like the Hermit Crab, and very quick sighted, is the 

 constant companion of tlie Pinna Marina, they live and lodge 

 together in the same shell which belongs to the latter. "When the 

 Pinna has occasion to eat, he opens his valves and sends out his 

 faithful purveyor to procure food. If any foe approaches, the 

 watcliful crab returns with the utmost speed and anxiety to his 

 blind protector, who, being thus warned of danger, shuts his 

 valves and escapes the rage of the enemy ; when on the contrary, 

 the crab loads liimself with booty, he makes a gentle noise at 

 the opening of tlie shell, which is closed during his absence, and 

 when admitted, the two friends feast together on the fruits of his 

 industry. — Ilasselquist. This curious fact, although well known 

 to the ancients, escaped, till lately, the observation of the mo- 

 dems. The author of the poem has in her possession, a Pinna 

 Marina, the interior of which is of a fine dark orange color. 



Note P, page 21, line 1. 

 Fair Argonauta ! not a soil 

 Adoicn thy robe — thou wouldst recoil 

 This interesting genus, the Nautilus of Pliny, has been separ- 

 ated from the chambered genus bearing that name in the Linnasan 

 svstem, and is denominated Argonauta, from a favorite companion 

 of Jason, in the celebrated voyage of the ship Argo. The art of 

 navigation is supposed to have owed its origin to the expert 

 management of this instinctive sailor, as well as to that of thft 



