THE PEDAL ORGAN. 247 



and unedible nature of their siphonal tubes. Very 

 different was the case with the defenceless, disen- 

 tombed specimens. These were intended as food for 

 their finny companions, who happened to be par- 

 ticularly fond of a change of diet. My ' pack ' had 

 subsisted for some time on Mussels, and on such 

 excellent food, had become impudent, corpulent, and 

 dainty. But overgorged epicures though they were, 

 I knew that although everything else failed, a 'real 

 live ' Pholas placed before them would serve to 

 speedily whet their appetites. 



A splendid specimen of the siphoniferous bivalve 

 was dropped into the tank, the base of which it had 

 no sooner reached, than the fishes, with eager eyes 

 and watering mouths, came hovering like a flock of 

 vultures round the welcome meal thus unexpectedly 

 placed before them. 



One rascal, who seemed to be cock of the walk, 

 came forward and made the first grip at the delicate 

 fleshy foot, that in appearance was as white as a 

 newly fallen snowflake. The pedal organ was, of 

 course, instantly and forcibly withdrawn, so much so, 

 indeed, as to be almost hidden from view, except at 

 its extreme base. In this position it remained for 

 several seconds. When the finny gourmand again 

 boldly advanced to take a second mouthful, to my 

 intense surprise he was, apparently, blown to a dis- 

 tance of several inches. I could scarcely credit the 

 evidence of my senses. Another and another of the 



