188 



the inhabitant of which constructs and occupies a nest. The shell 

 is of delicate texture, and, when deprived of extraneous matter by 

 careful washing, is entirely white, and, being graceful in form, is an 

 acquisition to an ornamental cabinet. It is desirable, however, to 

 preserve specimens of the nest as well as of the shell, and to allow 

 both to remain, as far as possible, in their natural position. The 

 nest is formed of materials collected at the bottom of the sea 

 cither pebbles, or broken shells, or both shells and pebbles and 

 these are brought into a mass and bound together by a glutinous 

 thread secreted by the animal. Sometimes the Lima is solitary 

 having built a house simply for itself; but, generally in Lamlash 

 bay, the dredge brings up large patches of this compacted debris, 

 in which will be found a colony living in apparent comfort, security, 

 and friendship each individual, however, having a separate and 

 snug berth. A supply of specimens may be secured in a few 

 moments. The animal is also a beautiful object in the water 

 its numerous tentacula, which extend beyond the limits of its 

 shell, are of a fine orange colour, and, being a bivalve, it moves from 

 place to place with ease and agility, by the rapid opening and closing 

 of its valves. Although rare in many localities, Lima hians has an 

 extensive range in the Clyde the nests being found off the coast of 

 Islay, between Largs and the Cumbraes, and on the Argyllshire 

 side, as high up as Hunter's Quay, Dunoon. But the station where 

 it is really abundant is Lamlash bay, where also the other species, 

 L. loscombii, and L. subauriculata, may be procured. 



115. Although many objects of interest have now been mentioned, 

 there remain a considerable number of living creatures, more or less 

 wonderful both in structure and in habit, which, from various causes, 

 have not yet been sufficiently examined on this coast ; and, conse- 

 quently, any information respecting them must necessarily be meagre. 

 Among the Annelids, or sea-worms, the following genera are known 

 to belong to Lamlash bay: Aphrodita, Arenicola, Eunice, Ner&is, 

 Pectinaria, S&rpula, iSjnrorbis, Terebella. The young student will 

 be usefully employed in the search and study of these curious forms 

 of life, for, notwithstanding that they take no higher rank than 

 worms, they exhibit, in some species, characteristics so peculiar, and 

 colours so gorgeous, as to attract even the popular eye and to excite 

 unsparing admiration. Who is not familiar with the Serpulce, 

 whose heads are crowned with radiating threads of varied hue ? 

 These singular tufts, which the animal protrudes for health and 

 pleasure, and which, with the rapidity of thought, are withdrawn 

 into its calcareous tube on the first symptom of alarm, are its gills, 



