204 MULT1VALVES. 



contrives frequently to escape the vigilance of 

 its enemies. The mollusks of the Chitons are of 

 the same form as their shells, the plates of which 

 are fixed in the mantle ; the gills surround their 

 bodies ; they breathe only water, and have a 

 fleshy foot, upon which they creep. Their abode 

 is in the sea at an inconsiderable depth near the 

 shore. They fix themselves for a time to rocks 

 and stones, but they can remove at pleasure. 

 The situation and formation of the valves resem- 

 ble the plates which constitute a suit of armour, 

 or coat of mail ; and to this resemblance the 

 shell owes its name, which is derived from %ITM, 

 (chiton) a coat of mail. 



CHITON Fascicularis. 



TUFTED CHITON. 



Specific Character. Shell with eight valves, 

 apparently smooth, but when viewed through a 

 glass, found to be rough like shagreen, except 

 on the elevated dorsal ridge ; the margin is sur- 

 rounded with tufts of whitish hairs at the junc- 

 tion of each valve, there are also two tufts in 

 front, making altogether eighteen. The colour 

 is brown or dark grey, often mottled ; the length 

 is rather less than an inch. 



The animal of this Chiton adheres to oysters 

 and other shells, and with them inhabits the 

 deep : it is also found on stones. It is not un- 

 common on the coast of Devonshire ; on those 

 of Barbary it occurs of a much larger size. 



