Ship Worm. 
LETTER X. 
UNIVALVES. 
—— 
To x * * *¥ 
Tue perforations in the timbers of the gallant vessel 
which you lately saw at Deptford, were occasioned 
by the Teredo Navalis, or common Ship-Worm, 
of which the generic appellation is derived from a 
Greek work, signifying to bore. This singular 
animal has two hemispherical, calcareous, and trun- 
cated valves: with a shell, tapering, flexuous, and 
capable of penetrating wood. 
