54 



EVENINGS AT THE MICEOSCOPE. 



Tliere are here, you observe, three constituent elements 

 in the j)attern. First, a delicate glassj central tooth, 

 taj^ering to a fine point, and cut into minute saw-teeth 

 along each edge. Tlien a series, of five on each side, of 

 similar glassy pointed leaves, bending inward ; and 

 outside these, on either hand, are a great number of 

 stout dark-coloured hooks, arching forward and inward, 

 cacli notched with saw-teeth, and diminishing m thick- 

 ness as they recede from the centre. 



Tlio manner of usins; this elaborate ors-an is no less 

 curious than is its structure. During life it is only 

 the front portion — not more than one-third — of the 







, .--,:^^^:1^P- 



ribbon that is in use ; this is spread out on the floor 

 of the mouth, with the teeth projecting and hooking 

 backwards. The remainder has its edges rolled over 

 towards each other, forming a tube closed at its extrem- 

 ity, which, as I have already observed, is coiled away 

 (in the long-tongued kinds) among tlie viscera. 



