30 



THE OYSTER. 



his food be quoted as an authority in matters of taste ? 

 At best, his must have been but an after-taste, a mere 

 bilious reminder of what the repast had been, in which 

 the whisky played as prominent a part as the '' breedy 

 creatures" themselves. 



But let us return. The lower shell (**) of the oyster 

 is concave, the upper flat. These shells are opened and 

 closed by xhe medium of a strong muscle acting upon 



a hinge (+), far more complete in its structure than ever 

 locksmith could produce, even at the forthcoming Exhi- 

 bition of all Nations. 



On the outside of the shell, when placed in a dark 

 place, we may often observe a shining matter of blueish 

 light, like a flame of brimstone, which sticks to the 

 Angers when touched, and continues shining and giving 

 light for a considerable time, though without any sen- 

 sible heat. This light is produced by three varieties of 



