, SCALLOP. 181 



The shells of the second division differ from 

 the Pectens as much in their habits as in their 

 appearance. They are reputed to be some of the 

 most sluggish of animals, and to have very limited 

 powers and faculties ; but whilst we cannot fail to 

 observe this destitution, we trace the goodness of 

 the Creator, who has placed them in situations 

 not exposed to danger, and bestowed upon them 

 an organization that requires but little to satisfy 

 it. The only nourishment they need is brought 

 to them by the ever-flowing waves, and they 

 scarcely exhibit any symptom of life, but that of 

 opening their valves to receive the water, and 

 then closing them for security. Firmly attached 

 to the rocks, and enclosed within their strong 

 testaceous dwelling, they are protected against 

 surrounding dangers. They sometimes effect a 

 change in their position by a curious contrivance ; 

 they manage to bolster up one valve in the sand 

 or mud, and having thus fixed themselves erect, 

 they open their shells, and the flowing or reflux 

 of the tide forces them over by the pressure of the 

 water. The animal has neither siphon nor foot. 



OSTREA Edulis: 



COMMON OYSTER. 



Specific Character. Shell more or less orbicu- 

 lar, inclining to oval, but subject to much variation 

 in form and size, imbricated with scaly laminae ; 



