PINNA SEA WING. 195 



it of the vicinity of the prey upon which it sub- 

 sists, or of the approach of its great enemy the 

 Sepia. Many stories are related of the amiahle 

 habits of this pair, and of the mutual services 

 they render each other. The truth of these ac- 

 counts are much confirmed by small animals of 

 the crustaceous tribe being continually found in 

 the shells of the Pinna and Muscle. The ancients 

 have celebrated these histories, by making them 

 the subject of poetry ; the following verses are 

 translated from a latin author, and are very de- 

 scriptive of the habits of the Pinnae. 



In clouded deeps below the Pinna hides, 

 And through the silent path obscurely glides ; 

 A stupid wretch, and void of thoughtful care, 

 He forms no bait, nor lays the tempting snare ; 

 But the dull sluggard boasts a crab his friend, 

 Whose busy eyes the coming prey attend. 

 One room contains them, and the partners dwell 

 Beneath the convex of one sloping shell ; 

 Deep in the watery vast the comrades rove, 

 And mutual interest binds their constant love. 

 That wiser friend the lucky juncture tells, 

 When in the circuit of the gaping shells 

 Fish, wandering, enter ; then the bearded guide, 

 Warns the dull mate, and pricks his tender side ; 

 He knows the hint, nor at the treatment grieves, 

 But hugs the advantage, and the pain forgives : 

 His closing shells the Pinna sudden joins, 

 And 'twix the pressing sides his prey confines. 

 Thus fed by mutual aid the friendly pair 

 Divide their gains, and all their plunder share. 



The name Pinna, which is sometimes spelled 

 with one n, is supposed to be derived from VMS 

 O 2 



