MULTIVALVES. — CHITON. 15 



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. 



The margin, which confines the valves in their pro- 

 per situations, differs materially in the various species; in 

 some instances, it is smooth and of a yellowish brown 

 color: generally, however, it is beset with fine scales, of 

 a green or olive color; frequently it is of a reddish tint, 

 and some species have it of a dusky-brown, and even 

 black. 



The situation and formation of the valves throughout 

 the genus resemble the plates which constitute a suit of 

 armour or coat of mail, audit is perhaps from this marked 

 resemblance that the Chiton has derived its name. 



The habitat or place of residence of these shells seems 

 to appertain, indiscriminately, to all parts of the globe. — 

 America atfords the most, several are from the East In- 

 dies, Africa supplies a few, and the Northern seas con- 

 tribute their portion of the remainder. 



The Chiton is frequently found adhering to other sub- 

 stances, as shells, stones, madrepores, corals, &c. &c.; 

 and some of the northern species frequent the roots of 

 ulvse, &c. 



The following is a list of the different species, taken 

 from Linnaeus's Systema Naturae, with the addition of 

 some species which have been discovered since the pub- 

 lication of that work. — A similar list will follow the ge- 

 neral description of each genus. 



(fj* Those names that are preceded bi/ an Asterisk f describe 

 Species found on the British coasts; and those which 

 are printed in Italic characters are the corresponding 

 English names. 



