PINNA SEA WING. 195 



celebrated by the ancients ; they supposed it to 

 harbour within its shell a small crustaceous 

 animal, a kind of shrimp, which was said to be 

 of the greatest use to its companion, by warning 

 it of the vicinity of the prey upon which it 

 subsists, or of the approach of its great enemy 

 the Sepia. Many stories are related of the 

 amiable habits of this pair, and of the mutual 

 services they render each other. The truth of 

 these accounts are much confirmed by small ani- 

 mals 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 follow- 

 ing verses are translated from a latin author, and 

 are very descriptive of the habits of the Pinnse. 



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 interests binds their constant love. 

 That wiser friend the lucky juncture tells, 

 When in the circuit of the gaping shells 

 Fish, wandering, enter ; then th* 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 'twixt the pressing sides his prey confines. 

 Thus fed by mutual aid the friendly pair 

 Divide their gains, and all their plunder share. 

 O 2 



