VTTAT.TTY. 93 



they have heen immured for years in their 

 (lark and confined receptacles. Kept for six 

 or seven years, and treated as Mr. Baker 

 directs, they will sometimes exhibit consider- 

 able powers of motion. It is almost impossible 

 to decide how this vitality can be preserved, 

 but it has been attributed by some writers to 

 the glutinous matter which has been noticed 

 as still remaining in the ear-cockle. Still this is 

 nothing more than a conjecture. To examine 

 them effectually, the observer should soak 

 the cockles in tepid water for about a couple of 

 hours before they are divided : they will then 

 generally be found very lively, and may be 

 kept in that condition a good while in a little 

 water. Indeed, it is possible to preserve them 

 in this way for several weeks, and keep them 

 ready to show : but if the person to whom 

 they are to be exhibited has never seen them 

 before, the best way is to take them at once 

 from an affected grain, lest so incredible a cir- 

 cumstance as their corning from such a source 

 should be doubted. They are rarely met 

 with in any grain except wheat. In some 

 parts of the kingdom, this disease prevails con- 

 siderably, while in other parts it is scarcely to 

 be met with at all. Probably the best remedy 



