226 tIPLAND AND MEADOW. 



least, in those of the Delaware River. Then there are 

 two mussels with toothless hinges, and prettily called 

 anodons, a name which would do credit to our language, 

 and should pass into common use. These are, collect- 

 ively, our largest shells. While a family likeness runs 

 through the series, they vary considerably in outline, 

 from nearly globular to an elongated oval ; and as much 

 in color. "While many are a dirty green or brown, 

 others are almost straw-yellow with broad bands of dark 

 green. These are very pretty, and yet, as they lie in the 

 water among pebbles, they do not show to advantage; 

 80 why should these colors have been evolved ? Are 

 they protective ? Color is not confined to the outer sur- 

 faces of the shells ; the interior is often beautiful. The 

 purple anodon is so-called because of the rich coloring 

 of the inner surface of the shell. Here again, the ori- 

 gin and object of color is a puzzling problem. Neither 

 the animal itself, nor any of its kind, nor any associated 

 form of life, can enjoy or be profited by the wealth of 

 color that during the lifetime of the animal is wrapped in 

 utter darkness. If the colors of these shells are of any 

 use, the world has yet to learn the fact ; and young 

 naturalists need never despair of making a discovery. 



Perhaps you cannot say that mussels are intelligent, 

 yet they have a common -sense way of doing things, 

 which is entertaining. I watched them walking about 

 the sand this evening, and was surprised at the progress 

 they made. Projecting their foot a short distance be- 

 yond the slightly opened valves or shells, they thrust it 

 into the sand, and, giving themselves a jerky twist, were 

 hinge up and valve-edge down, and so they travelled ; 



