336 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Dextrous motions Aversion to salt. 



extends its tongue from the inferior end of the 

 shell, and makes the extremity of it take the 

 form of a shovel, sharp on each side, and termi- 

 nating in a point: with this instrument the ani- 

 mal cuts a hole in the sand. After the hole is 

 made, it advances the tongue still farther into 

 the sand, makes it assume the form of a hook, 

 and with this hook, as a fulcrum, it obliges the 

 shell to descend into the hole. In this manner 

 the animal operates till the shell totally disappears. 

 When it chuses to regain the surface," it puts the 

 termination of the tongue into the shape of a ball, 

 and makes an effort to extend the whole tongue, 

 but the ball prevents any farther descent, and 

 the muscular effort necessarily pushes the shell 

 upward till it reaches the surface or top of the 

 hole. It is amazing with what dexterity and 

 quickness these seemingly awkward motions are 

 performed. 



Notwithstanding the razor fish lives in salt 

 water, it has a most remarkable aversion to salt. 

 Should a little be thrown into the hole, the ani- 

 mal instantly quits its habitation. But it is still 

 more remarkable, that if the animal be once 

 seized with the hand, and afterwards allowed to 

 retire into its cell, salt will then be strewed in 

 vain, for the fish will never again make its ap- 

 pearance. If it be not handled, by applying 

 salt the animal may be made to come to the 

 surface as often as a person pleases, and fisher- 

 men often make use of this stratagem. This 



