of water from its shell, by which it is rendered 

 lighter than the surrounding medium, and, of 

 course, rises to the surface. Here it extends 

 two of its arms upwards, which are each fur- 

 nished at their extremity with an oval mem- 

 brane, that serves as a sail. The other six arms 

 hang over the sides of the shell, and supply the 

 place either of oars or rudder. It is an inha- 

 bitant of the Mediterranean and Atlantic seas. 



Two feet they upward raise, and steady keep : 

 These are the masts and rigging of the ship. 

 A membrane stretched between supplies the sail, 

 Bends from the masts, and swells before the gale. 

 The other feet hang paddling on each side, 

 And serve for oars to row and helm to guide. 

 'Tis thus they sail, pleased with the wanton game, 

 The fish, the sailor, and the ship the same. 

 But when the swimmers dread some danger near, 

 The sportive pleasure yields to stronger fear ; 

 No more they wanton drive before the blasts, 

 But strike the sails, and bring down all the masts j 

 The rolling waves their sinking shells o'erflo\v> 

 And dash them down again to sands below. 



