188 THE PINNA NOBILIS. 



MRS. F. 



As all other byssus-spinning mollusca, viz. by means of its 

 foot; the spinnerets of the spider are in its tail, those of the 

 silk-worm and other spinning moths in the mouth; Providence 

 having beautifully arranged their situation in each as is best 

 adapted to the wants and convenience of the animal. 



ESTHER. 



Is the anecdote about the Pinna, and its parasite, true, 

 which I have read in extracts from Dr. Darwin's poems'? 



MRS. F. 



And which is the same as the Pinnophylax of Pliny? No; I 

 believe it to be fabulous, excepting so far, that small Crustacea, 

 indeed both crabs and shrimps, will find their way into the 

 shell of the Pinna, the Mussel, or the Whelk; not with any 

 view of hurting the animal, but in order to defend them- 

 selves, especially when their crust is soft, and they are the 

 more exposed to injury from the attacks of their enemies. 



