MOLLUSCA. 29 



•distorted and indented to suit inequalities in the surface of the 

 flints. ... 



I noticed signs that limpets prefer a hard, smooth surface to 

 a pit in the chalk. On one surface of a large block, over all 

 .sides of which limpets were regularly and plentifully distri- 

 buted, there were two flat fragments of a fossil shell about 

 3 inches by 4 inches, each embedded in the chalk. The chalk 

 all round these fragments was free from limpets ; but on the 

 smooth surface of the pieces of shell they were packed as closely 

 as they could be. I noticed another case, which almost amounts, 

 to my mind, to a proof that they prefer a smooth surface to a 

 hole. A limpet had formed a clearing on one of the sea- weed- 

 covered blocks before referred to. In the midst of this clearing 

 was a pedestal of flint rather more than one inch in diameter, 

 standing up above the surface of the chalk; it projected so 

 much that a tap from my hammer broke it oflf. On the top of 

 the smooth fractured surface of this flint the occupant of the 

 clearing had taken up its abode. The shell was closely adapted 

 to the uneven surface, which it would only flt in one position. 

 The cleared surface was in a hollow with several small natural 

 cavities, where the limpet could have found a pit ready made to 

 shelter in; yet it preferred, after each excursion, to climb up to 

 the top of the flint, the most exposed point in all its domain.^ 



It appears certain from these observations, which to 

 some extent were anticipated by those of Mr. F. C. Lukis,^ 

 that limpets, after every browsing excursion, return to 

 one particular spot or home ; and the precise memory of 

 direction and locality implied by this fact seems to justify 

 us in regarding these actions of the animal as of a nature 

 unquestionably intelligent. 



Coming now to the cephalopoda, there is no doubt 

 that if a larger sphere of opportunity permitted, adequate 

 observation of these animals would prove them to be 

 much the most intelligent members of the sub-kingdom. 

 Unfortunately, however, this sphere of opportunity has 

 hitherto been very limited. The following meagre ac- 

 count is all that I have been able to gather concerning 

 the psychology of these interesting animals. 



According to Schneider,^ the Cephalopoda show un- 



' Journal Linn. Soe. vol. xiv. p. 406 et seq. 

 2 Mag. Nat. Higt. 18.31, vol. iv. p. 346. 

 » Thieresche Wille, § 78. 



