CONCHOLOGY. 



ORDER I. 



Mnltity^Voe^. 



CHITON.— Coat of Mail. 



Animal inhabiting the shell — a Doris : Shell consisting of 

 several segments of valves disposed down the back. 



THE genus Chiton ranks first in the classification of Tes- 

 tacea^ or Shells; and no less than twenty-eight species 

 are described, some of which are exceedingly beautiful 

 and uncommon. It is almost impossible to confuse this 

 genus with any other of the shell tribe, for all its species 

 and varieties coincide so nearly in their general formation 

 and attributes, 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 

 peculiar form is constituted by the attachment of eight 

 moveable valves, which are connected by a cutaneous or 

 c 



