ANECDOTE. 181 



of the tank and reaching to its brim, mingling, too, 

 with the various tufts of corallines and other sea- 

 weeds that jutted from each crevice, were very pretty 

 to look at. When disturbed by the movements of 

 the fishes passing in and out, the gracefulness and 

 beauty of the sea-weed was doubly increased. 



In making observations upon any bivalve, such as 

 the Mussel, it is extremely puzzling to know what is 

 going on inside the shell. Yet it is almost necessary 

 to acquire this knowledge by means not always ap- 

 parent, in order to satisfy one's mind relative to 

 certain appearances, which we perceive going on 

 externally. We have to form our judgment of things 

 we do not see from those that are apparent at all 

 times a difficult task. But not often so tantalizing 

 as in the case of an insignificant creature like the 

 Mussel, who lives, moves, and works constantly 

 before our eyes. I may add that it was not enough 

 for me that I saw the spinning process frequently. 

 It all seemed tolerably clear to my mind, but still I did 

 not feel thoroughly satisfied. My desire was to peep 

 into the shell, and find out where the last spun thread 

 was situated ; or, in other words, from what part of 

 the trunk the new branch sprung. On examining 

 various specimens of the byssus, this point was by 

 no means apparent. Various means I adopted 

 failed to secure me the requisite knowledge. At 

 length I hit upon a plan, which, after no long time, 

 I found opportunity to put in practice. My largest 



