206 SHELLS AND MOLLUSCOUS ANIMALS. 



firm strong shells, which might be dashed up and 

 down in the waves without injury. 



Another common genus of mollusks, whose shells 

 lie about on sandy coasts, contains the different 

 species of Solen, or Razor-shells. The animal is 

 provided with a cylindrical foot, admirably adapt- 

 ing it for burrowing in the sand. This organ 

 tapers at the end, and is, however, more shaped 

 like a tongue than a foot. Destitute of a cable 

 to move it, or a strong shell to protect it, this 

 little foot supplies all needs of the mollusk ; and 

 the depth into which, by its help, this animal can 

 retreat into the sand, is truly wonderful. It often 

 buries itself several feet below the surface, ren- 

 dering its capture scarcely possible. When about 

 to enter the sand, the foot of the Solen takes the 

 form of a shovel, with a sharp, pointed end. With 

 this it digs a hole, turning its point into the form 

 of a hook to facilitate its descent, and again widen- 

 ing it into the spade-like shape to shovel away the 

 sand. If it wishes to remove to a little distance, 

 the Solen can double up its leg into the form of 

 a ball, which prevents it from slipping back, while 

 the action of powerful muscles impels it forwards. 

 Supplied with so admirable an organ, the Solen is 

 by no means an easy captive, and, buried upright 

 in the sands, the fishermen who catch them need 

 both skill and practice. The fish is sometimes 

 eaten by the poor inhabitants of sea-side places, 

 but it is of especial value as bait. In Ireland, 

 however, one species, the Solen siliqua, is in so 

 much request, that the Irish peasantry have a 

 song, which* they sing in chorus, when they go 

 out to catch it. The fishermen take the Solens at 

 high tide, and plunging a slender iron rod into the 



