BAITS 103 



cyclobranchiate because his gills or branchiae form a fringe 

 round his body between the edge of the body and the foot ; 

 and he belongs to the order of gasteropods because his dis- 

 tinguishing characteristic is the broad, muscular, and disc- 

 like foot which is attached to the surface of his stomach. In 

 fact, he walks on his stomach, a proceeding which is rarely 

 seen. 



If the rock be soft, the limpet digs himself a little pit in 

 which he rests, making his way therefrom for a few inches to 

 feed on various kinds of seaweed. As a rule, these curious 

 creatures do not move except when covered by water ; but I 

 once saw one taking an airing, and a very curious performance 

 it was. The shell was raised about an eighth of an inch ; a 

 tiny feeler peeped out, waved to and fro and felt about as 

 if to ascertain if the next twenty-fifth of an inch of rock was 

 suitable for progression. After the limpet was satisfied on this 

 important point, the edges of its body began to work slowly all 

 round the shell, and a step forward was made. And that was 

 the locomotion of a gasteropod, with whom time was apparently 

 no object. When the limpet has made up its mind to stick 

 in one place, it shows great determination to that end. It 

 has been recently calculated that it requires a force of about 

 60 Ibs., or upwards of 2,000 times its own weight without 

 its shell, to pull it away from the rock. It is, however, easy 

 enough to dislodge these strong men among shell fish if you 

 know the right way. Take them unawares and give them a 

 sharp tap, and they tumble down as if shot ; or gently insinuate 

 a knife under the shell before they have time to crouch down 

 on to the rock. 



Limpets are a good deal eaten by the poorer classes in 

 some parts of Ireland and Scotland, and, as baits, are used on 

 the haddock lines when, as I have said, mussels or better baits 

 are not obtainable. The soft part of a limpet is considered a 



