146 THE BARNACLE DESCRIBED. 



Here is a Trochus shell, for example, inhabited, as 

 you perceive, by a Soldier-Crab, the surface of 

 which is thickly covered with shelly cones, of small 

 dimensions. These are the Barnacles (Balani). The 

 Trochus most fortunately being near the side of the 

 glass, is capitally situated for our purpose. Take the 

 hand lens, adjust its focus, and watch carefully for 

 the opening of the cones. Tush! The hermit never 

 will rest contented in any position for two consecu- 

 tive minutes ; but see ! as he walks away the fairy 

 hands are being rapidly thrown out and made to 

 sweep the water in graceful curves, thereby suggest- 

 ing some resemblance to a bevy of school children 

 at Christmas time, bidding adieux to their friends, 

 while seated on the roof of an old stage coach. 



Carefully I lift the Pagurus bodily out of the 

 tank, arid transfer him to a wine glass filled with 

 clean water. After a few minutes have elapsed, 

 the hands again commence their fishing operations. 

 Observe, now, that these organs fan the fluid in 

 such a manner as to catch any animalcule that 

 may be near, and draw them towards the aperture 

 caused by the opening of the valves of the Bar- 

 nacle. A close inspection will, I am sure, prove to 

 your satisfaction that there is also distinctly apparent 

 a second and smaller cluster of feathery fingers, whose 

 duty it is to catch the food, brought near by the 

 larger and corresponding organs, and finally convey 

 it intp the mouth of the little cirriped. There may 



