364 SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



this is succeeded by a commotion — the sand is upheaving — 

 we hold our breath, and keep the hand ready to make a 

 swift chitch — a final upheaval has taken place, and the 

 Solen slowly shows the tip of his siphon ; but he is still 

 buried in the sand, and we must wait till he has thnist 

 himself at least an inch above ground, or we shall lose him. 

 It may be that, having come thus far, he will suddenly 

 change his mind, and, instead of advancing, make a preci- 

 pitate retreat. But if he raise himself an inch out of his 

 hole, and you are swift, he is your prize. Sometimes, when 

 clutched, he clings so firmly to the sand, that you break the 

 shell or pull it out, and see half the torn body remain 

 behind. At other times he will not appear at all. You 

 have salted his hole, and after witnessing the preliminary 

 commotions, you are nevertheless balked, for he retreats 

 deeper and deeper, and his hole falls in. It thus appears 

 that salting his tail does not necessarOy imply a capture ; 

 and it is this uncertainty which gives a relish to the sport. 

 Often when he has appeared at the hole, it is merely to see 

 what is the matter, and to indulge in a not altogether frivo- 

 lous curiosity as to the being who can illogically ofier salt 

 to hirti who lives in salt water ; and he likes your appear- 

 ance so little, that one glance is enough — he is off again like 

 a shot. Two of them comported themselves in a very 

 singular manner. They came to the opening, and defiantly 

 throwing their heads at oui* feet, retired again in haste. 

 Did they imagine we should be satisfied with such an offer- 

 ing ? I picked up their heads, and moralised. 



There is something irresistibly ludicrous in grave men 



