THE SOLEN, ETC. 



THE SOLEN 



Has an oblong shell, resembling in its shape a razor, 

 thence called the Razor-shell : the hinge has a small, 

 sharp, reflected tooth, sometimes double, not inserted into 

 the opposite valve. The Solen has not the power of pro- 

 gressive motion on the surface ; but it can dig a hole or 

 cell in the sand, to the depth of two feet, which it can 

 ascend or descend at pleasure. The organ by which it 

 effects these movements is called the tongue, and is com- 

 mon to many of the bivalves. In this genus it is placed at 

 the centre, and is fleshy, cylindrical, and rather long : the 

 animal is able to direct the form of its tip, so as to apply 

 it to what purpose it chooses. When it wishes to descend, 

 it shapes its tongue as a shovel, and cuts a hole in the 

 sand; and then it advances its tongue into the sand in the 

 form of a hook, and resting upon it as a fulcrum, forces its 

 shell downwards. When it chooses to regain the surface, 

 it makes its tongue assume the shape of a ball, and, by an 

 effort to extend its whole tongue, forces its shell upwards. 

 These mevements are effected with a rapidity quite un- 

 expected. 



THE ACTINIA VARIA 



Is very common on most of the European coasts ; its 

 colour varies much, being either red, olive, or green ; 

 plain or varied ; its chief character is the possessing a row 

 of short, bead-like processes of a bright blue colour ; sur- 

 rounding the outward circle of tentacula. It generally 

 measures about two inches in diameter ; but will grow to a 

 much larger size. 



THE ACTINIA CRASSICORNIS 



Is distinguished by its red colour, and roughish external 

 surface, and the contrasted beauty of its expanded part, 

 which is purely white, marked near the base of the 

 tentacula with numerous carmine streaks ; the tentacula 

 are pearl coloured. The diameter of this species often 

 measures four, five, or six inches. 



