SCROBICULARIA. Scrdbicularia piperita. 

 SWORD-BLADE RAZOR-SHELL. Solen ejisis. 



COMMON TROUGH-SHELL. Mactra sttutnnin. 

 COMMON RAZOR-SHELL. Solen vagina.. 



however it may answer for those who only want the creature for the purpose of eating 

 the animal, or using it as bait, is by no means suited to those who wish to capture the 

 inhabitant uninjured and to experimentalize upon it. These, therefore, must employ a 

 different plan. 



It is sufficiently remarkable, that although the Eazor-shell lives in saline water, it has 

 the greatest objection to salt in an undiluted state, and is as much annoyed by that 

 substance as a worm by ammonia or a slug by lime. To catch this creature unhurt is 

 easy enough, and merely requires that a spoonful of salt should be dropped into the 

 burrow, and the animal adroitly seized as it protrudes itself in anger at the liberty which 

 has been taken with its home. If, however, the intended captor should bungle the 

 attempt, the Eazor-shell immediately slips to the very bottom of the burrow, and, even 

 though a pound of salt be expended, will not be induced to show itself a second time. 

 These creatures are generally found at a depth of one or two feet, and when they make 

 their burrows, as they are often in the habit of doing, among the rocks, not even the 

 hooked iron can draw them from their retreat. 



The three figures of the Eazor-shells require some explanation. 



At the right hand, and at the bottom of the engraving, the upper part of the common 

 Eazor-shell is shown as it appears when at rest and in full feed, the water passing into 

 the system through one of the fringed apertures, and out at the other. The upper figure, 

 lying horizontally upon the rock, represents the same species, for the purpose of showing 

 the foot, by means of which the rapid ascent and descent in its burrow is accomplished. 

 3. F F 



