L E N T I I, - L E P A D 1 C E A. 



41 



found in a fossil state, but the greater number of 

 species are recent, though but little known, and con- 

 stantly overlooked in consequence of their diminutive 

 size. On this subject we cannot resist observing, 

 that were additional proofs required to convince the 

 unbeliever of the infinite wisdom of the God of nature, 

 und of the unity of purpose displayed throughout 

 creation, these little shells would afford that satisfac- 

 tion ; for in them we discover analogous forms with 

 those of the largest growth, and their diminutive 

 tenants, each endowed with similar functions, each 

 destined to play its part in the scheme of wisdom, 

 and each of as much use in their sphere of action, as 

 the elephant, whale, tiger, or other powerful animal 

 in its predestined habits. The ingenuity of man has 

 accomplished wonders in assisting us to see, and 

 even study, marvellous creatures whose existence was 

 scarcely gut-ssed at before the perfection of optical 

 instruments. By these much has indeed been effected, 

 but it also leads to a safe conclusion that much more 

 is yet to be done. Let us go on to the utmost verge 

 of human industry, ingenuity, and rational intelli- 

 gence, we can only arrive at this result that the 

 more man has cause to boast of his discoveries, the 

 more he is bound to praise HIM who made us what 

 we are, and not WE ourselves. 



LENTIL. Is the Ervuni /ens of Linna?us, the 

 common tare, some few of which are excellent fodder 

 plants, others noisome weeds. Two or three of them 

 have been used as human food from very high anti- 

 quity. Lentils, when boiled, readily dissolve into a 

 pulpy mass of a chocolate colour ; and we learn that it 

 was for a mess of this " red porridge" for which Esau, 

 thence called Edom, sold his birthright. In Egypt 

 and Syria they are parched over the fire in pans, and 

 sold as the best portable food on long journeys. They 

 are also much used in catholic countries during lent. 

 The London cooks prize them as an ingredient in 

 both soups and sauces. 



LENTISCUS. Is the specific name of the Pis- 

 fucia, otherwise called the mastich tree. P. lenliscus 

 is so called on account of the viscidity of its exuda- 

 tions. This tree affords the true mastich of commerce, 

 which is procured by making transverse incisions 

 through the bark, whence the glutinous juices escape; 

 and, when inspissated by exposure to the air, are 

 collected in the form of tears. Mastich is considered 

 astringent and diuretic, but it is'Very little employed 

 in medicine. 



LEONOTIS (R. Brown). A genus of African 

 shrubs cultivated in our greenhouses, and known by 

 the name of lion's ear. Class and order Didi/namia 

 Gymnotpemsa, and natural order Labiata:. The flowers 

 are showy ; the plants thrive in light loamy soil, and 

 are increased by cuttings. 



LEONTICE (Linnaius). A genus of tuberous- 

 rooted perennials, natives of the warmest as well as 

 of the coldest parts of Europe. They belong to 

 Berberidea-, and are increased by dividing the roots. 



LEOPARD'S BANE. Is the Doronicum par- 

 dalianchcx of Linna'us. The flowers are showy, come 

 forth early, and belong to Composite; are well worth 

 cultivating, and are increased by dividing the roots. 



LEPADICEA. The first family of the class 

 Nematapoda, the genus Lepas of Linnaeus, and the 

 Aiidlifa of Lamarck. This family, as it is constituted 

 by modern naturalists, comprises the genera Gi/inno- 

 Icfifi.f, I'rntah.-jtfts, Pulylcpas, and Lithtilcpas. These 

 molluscs are so widely distinct from every other, that 



they may immediately be discovered by their general 

 appearance ; the specific differences require more 

 attention, and demand a closer investigation than 

 naturalists have hitherto devoted to them. The space 

 alloited to this subject will not permit us to enlarge 

 to the extent necessary to gratify our own wishes ; 

 and as an eminent German naturalist has long been 

 promising the result of his accurate investigations 

 and laborious attention, we will not attempt to fore- 

 stall his information, or give an incomplete view of 

 it, confining ourselves at present to a general descrip- 

 tion of these singular and interesting molluscs. The 

 animal possesses an oval formed body, more or less 

 compressed ; the mantle slit or divided at its inferior 

 or posterior portion, though, according to the natural 

 position of these animals, it may be termed the upper 

 arid anterior portion ; the mantle is prolonged on the 

 other side by a fleshy pedicle or stem, more or less 

 capable of extension or contraction ; this is attached 

 to submarine bodies, and acted upon by a transverse 

 adductor muscle. The testaceous portion is formed 

 of five pieces or valves, squamose, or like scales 

 touching each other more or less at their edges ; one 

 dorsal and median ; two laterally anterior ; and two 

 laterally posterior ; they are sometimes without any, 

 but more frequently with numerous accessory pieces 

 placed at the base of the shell even in the pedicle. 

 These molluscs are invariably fixed on various float- 

 ins 1 or other submarine bodies, in very extensive 

 groups, or thinly scattered, hanging as it were with 

 their heads downwards, at a small depth in the sea. 

 They appear to delight in the constant motion of the 

 waves, which probably contributes to supply them 

 more easily with fjod, which otherwise they have no 

 mode of seeking, beyond the limited locomotion the 

 length of their fleshy stalk permits them to enjoy. 

 They are carnivorous, seizing their food by means of 

 the articulated appendages with which the posterior 

 part of their bodies is provided; these are in con- 

 tinual agitation, and either present a bait to the small 

 crustaceous animals upon which they feed, or serve 

 as feelers or smellers to indicate the proximity of their 

 prey; arid the denticulated jaws enabling them to 

 crush, and as it were to masticate their food. It ap- 

 pears likely that their propagation is carried on by 

 means of eggs, which are deposited in certain places by 

 the assistance of a long retractile portion of the body, 

 terminating the ovarium ; and they live and die on the 

 sp:>t which first brought them into existence, possess- 

 ing, as before remarked, no power of quitting the 

 object to which they are affixed. In the arrange- 

 ment now adopted, a very simple guide may be ob- 

 served, which in the iirst place leads to their classifi- 

 cation ; it is the length of the pedicle, which in the 

 first genus is very long, gradually becoming shorter 

 in the other genera, till it ceases, and thus forms a 

 natural transition to the Balanides, in which no fleshy 

 stem or pedicle exists, the shells being firmly fixed at 

 their base to the substance they are found upon, 

 which a reference to the article BALANUS will more 

 fully explain, and under that of ANATIFA will be found 

 other interesting facts relating to the family Lepadicea, 

 or genus Lepas of Bruguiere. From the different 

 views naturalists sometimes take, and the names they 

 give to genera of their formation, much confusion 

 arises, and the study of malacology is rendered addi- 

 tionally complex. Thus Dr. Leach constituted the 

 genera Otion and Cincaras, now included in Cuvier's 

 genus Gymnotcpax ; he also separated two species of 



