BARNACLES. 



253 



of wrecked vessels, the sides of rocks, and other objects 

 which afford a secure attachment. 



Each individual consists of a body enclosed in a shell, 

 not unlike that of a mussel in figure, and of a fleshy 

 worm-like stem or peduncle, the extremity of which is 

 fixed to the object upon which the animal is stationed. 

 This stem is tubular, tolerably firm, and has a fleshy feel ; 



BARNACLES. Fr 



it is composed exteriorly of a fine coriaceous outer mem- 

 brane, bedewed with a watery fluid, and beneath this, of 

 an inner membrane of considerable density, apparently 

 consisting of muscular fibres, running for the most part in 



