530 



Molluscn. 



1 rr 



1. THE MUSSEL. (JT^iZtw 



LIKE the oyster, the Mussel inhabits a bivalve shell, to 

 which it adheres by a strong cartilaginous tie. The 

 shells of several of the species are beautiful. The 

 Mussel possesses the property of locomotion, which it 

 performs with the member called its tongue, by which 

 it gets hold of the rock, and is enabled to draw itself 

 along; it has also the property of emitting a kind of 

 thread, called the byssus, which, fixing the sides of the 

 shell upon the ground, answers the purpose of a cable, 

 to keep the body of the fish steady. 



II. Univalves. 

 2. THE ADMIKAL. 



ONE of the cone-shells, the inhabitant of which is a kind 

 of snail, with a very distinct head. If nature has taken 

 a delight in painting the wings of birds, the skins of 

 quadrupeds, and the scales of fishes, she seems not to 

 have been less pleased in pencilling the shells of these 

 inhabitants of the deep. The variety, brightness, and 

 versatility of the colouring have long been deservedly 

 the object of man's admiration ; and we cannot help 

 being astonished at the richness which a cabinet of 

 well-selected shells presents to the eye. 



