32 CONCHOLOGIST’S COMPANION. 
Chitons are generally found creeping on the rocks, 
or closely attached, as the Limpet, to stones or shells, 
or seaweeds, and not unfrequently to Oysters, on the 
coast of South Devon. But how, it may again be 
asked, is this effected, for the Creator has denied 
to them, the stem, or stalk, which distinguishes the 
Lepas ?—By means of a gelatinous fluid, which 
exudes from the under surface of the body. Itseems 
the pleasure of the Deity to produce the same results 
by an infinite variety of means. 
The generic appellation Chiton, is derived from a 
Greek word, signifying a man’s tunic, and aptly 
expresses the folded appearance of the valves, which 
are not unlike the lapping over of a thick warm tunic. 
These curious shell-fish are met with in France, 
Spain, and the Mediterranean, where they seldom 
exceed an inch, whereas in the tropical rivers, they 
are occasionally found of considerable length. 
To extract sentiments of piety from the works 
and appearances of nature, is equally the duty and 
the prerogative of a Christian; it is enforced in the 
Scriptures, and hallowed by the example of our Lord, 
‘‘ Behold the lilies of the field: they toil not, neither 
do they spin; yet your Heavenly Father careth for 
99 
them.” He expatiates on the wonderful construction 
of a single flower, and draws from it the delightful 
inference of confidence in God. He teaches that 
