MOLLUSCA. 



the Razor-shell, 



in which it is used for burrowing in the sand or 

 mud, and perhaps these Bivalves are the most dex- 

 terous burrowers of all. The shell is very much 

 lengthened sidewise, the two valves forming, when 

 closed, a long tube. " The Solen excavates for 

 itself a very deep hole in the sand, boring its way, 

 by means of its foot, to a depth of some feet ; and 

 remains concealed in this retreat, usually occupying 

 a position within a few inches from the surface. 

 The fisherman, armed with a slender iron rod, fur- 

 nished with a barbed head, resembling a harpoon, 

 treads carefully backwards over the beach, left bare 

 by the retreating tide, and finds the holes in which 

 the Solen lodges, by watching the little jet of water 

 thrown out by the animal, when, being alarmed by 

 the shaking of the sand, it contracts its body. 

 Guided by the orifice, through which the water is 

 thrown, he plunges his rod into the sand, and gene- 

 rally succeeds in piercing the animal with the barbed 

 extremity, and dragging it from its concealment; 

 but should he fail in his first attempt, he well knows 

 that to try again would be unavailing, for the animal 

 instantly works its way down to such a distance 

 as to render pursuit hopeless."* 



Few of this Class are more astonishing in the 

 powers which they possess, than the following genus. 



, a tube. t Jones, Anim. Kingd. p. 382. 



