THE COWRY. 19 



as to meet along the under side. The interior of this 

 proboscis is lined with delicate cilia, by whose constant 

 vibrations a current of water is drawn into the tube 

 and poured over the surface of the gills, for the purpose 

 of respiration. This current may be readily perceived 

 by any one who will take the trouble to watch, with a 

 pocket-lens, a Cowry crawling along the side of a phial 

 filled with sea-water. By placing the vessel between 

 your eye and the light, and fixing your attention on the 

 front of the proboscis, you will presently perceive the 

 minute particles of floating matter (always held in sus- 

 pension, even in clear water) drawn in various direc- 

 tions towards the tube, with a motion which increases 

 in velocity as they approach, and at length rapidly 

 sucked in, and disappearing one after another within. 

 It is an interesting sight to see, and one that cannot be 

 looked on without delight and admiration at this beau- 

 tiful contrivance of Divine Wisdom, for the incessant 

 breathing of the respiratory organs in water charged 

 with vivifying oxygen. 



Let us look at the vivid hues of all these organs. 

 The foot, which expands to so great a length and 

 breadth behind the shell, is of a buff or pale orange 

 ground-colour, delicately striated with longitudinal un- 

 dulating veins of yellowish white. The mantle which 

 embraces the shell is of a pellucid olive, thickly mottled 



