354 ASELLID^E. 



as the stomach is found filled with minute ligneous par- 

 ticles. The burrows are about one-fifteenth of an inch 

 in diameter ; they are cylindrical, and perfectly smooth 

 on the inside. 



We must refer the reader to Dr. Coldstream's valuable 

 memoir (from which most of the preceding details of the 

 habits of the species have been derived) for an account 

 of the injuries committed lay these little depredators in 

 various parts of the Scottish coast ; as well as to Mr. 

 Thompson's memoir, in the 18th Volume of the " Edin 

 burgh New Philosophical Journal," where numerous 

 Irish localities are recorded, and to Mr. Albany Han- 

 cock's memoir in the " Newcastle Naturalists' Trans- 

 actions." Mr. Hope's suggestions in the " Transactions 

 of the Entomological Society," vol. i. p. 119 and xxxiv., 

 must also be referred to for their practical character. 

 It was observed by Mr. Spence, at Bridlington Bay, 

 near Hull, and Dr. Moore stated in l ' Charlesworth's 

 Magazine of Natural History," that its injurious effects 

 had been observed for forty years in Plymouth Harbour. 



Through the kindness of the superintendent, Admiral 

 Drummond, we have recently had the opportunity of 

 examining into the extent of the depredations of this 

 little creature on the submerged timber in the Royal 

 Dockyard at Devonport. 



It is the opinion of Mr. Moore, the able and intelligent 

 master shipwright, who has had the opportunity of ob- 

 servation extending over thirty years, that the ravages of 

 the gribble in this dockyard is considerably less than it 

 was at the early part of his career. 



But this appeared to us to be more the result of suc- 

 cessful attempts in the great care and ability shown in 

 protecting the timber from the action of the animal, than 

 in the decrease of this creature in the locality. 



