INTRODUCTION 



CONCHOLOGY 



ORDER I. 



MULTIVALVES. 



CHITON.— Coat of Mail. 



Animal inhahiting the shell — a Doris : Shell consisting of 

 several segments of valves disposed down the back. 



JL HE genus Chiton ranks first in the classification of Tes- 

 tacea, or shells; and no less than fifty-two species are 

 described, some of which are exceedingly beautiful and un- 

 common. It is almost impossible to confuse this genus 

 with any other of the shell tribe, for all its species and va- 

 rieties coincide so nearly in their general formation and at- 

 tributes, that the situation in which they ought to be placed 

 may at once be decided upon. 



The most distinguishing character of the Chiton is that 

 of bearing a strong resemblance to a small vessel or boat, 

 high built at the stern, and turned upside down ; and this 



