2 MULTIVALVES. — CHITON. 



high built at the stern, and low a-mid-ships, (a Dutch 

 scliuit or smack is the nearest craft to compare with it); 

 and this peculiar form is constituted by the attachment 

 of six or seven, but generally of eight moveable valves, 

 which are connected by a cutaneous or cartilaginous sub- 

 stance, and, when the animal is alive, is capable of suffi- 

 cient distention and contraction, to admit of considerable 

 action or play on the part of the valves; so much so, that 

 the animal can at pleasure convert its shell into the form 

 of a ball, and thereby assume the appearance of a little in- 

 sect, well known as an inhabitant of old and decayed wood, 

 and wliich, when in danger, rolls itself up in its steel- 

 colored armour, and thereby defeats the various assaults 

 of its enemies. 



One of the usual marks of distinction in the different 

 species, is derived from the number of valves, which vary in 

 different specimens : in most they consist of eight, in others 

 of seven, and sometime?, though very rarely, only of six. — 

 The covering and colormg of the valves also serve to cre- 

 ate distinctions; some being perfectly smooth, others no- 

 dulous or knobbed ; some beset with spines, prickles, or 

 hairs; and others, again, are striated, dotted, and rayed, as 

 in the Chiton Hispidus, Squamosus, and Marmoratus. 



The color of the exterior is frequently of a dusky-brown, 

 often varying into different shades of olive-green. Others 

 partake of a reddish or pinkish tint ; whereas some speci- 

 mens are of anochreous or yellowish-white complexion; 

 and many have their valves adorned with elegant designs 

 and marblings, painted in the liveliest colors imaginable. 



The interior also admits of much variation with regard 

 to color; however, the most prevalent is that of a blueish- 

 white, often beautifully diversified with cloudings of yel- 

 low, brown, light green, and pink. 



