531 



fliape of the tube. This part is rarely above three-quar^ 

 ters ot an inch in diameter at the larger end, and a foot 

 in length, in our climate ; but exceeds that in tl:e more 

 fouthern parts, from whence it \s-as brought into our 

 harbours to the deftruttion of our fliips, as LixN.eus 

 juftly obferves, calamitas navium. 



This (hell has been ufually placed amongfl the uni- 

 valves, but certainly without reafon, for undoubtedly^ 

 it is as compleat a multivalve, as any other of that 

 clafs, and ought to be either placed with the P'lolas, or 

 between that and the Balanus, for it has no affinity either 

 to the Serpula or Dentaliuvi. 



Gmelin in a marginal note expreffes himfelf thus, 

 *•' Teredines intra vegetabilia habitantes, quce. dejlruunt, 

 '• vittz genere, viccu, et habitcdione, navalis certe, ipfa 

 "valvarum vermi adhaereJitium fabrica^ propius ad 

 " pholades accedunt, quam adferpulasT 



We have, however, thought proper to leave it where 

 LiNN'^us lafi. placed it, for the confideration of thofe 

 who may write more largely upon this branch of natu- 

 ral hiftory. 



It might be afked by thofe of lefs philofophic minds, 

 why an animal (hould be formed v.'holly for deftruCtion. 



The anfwer is, that the greater apparent deftru6tion, 

 afTigned to certain beings, is but the neceffary link in 



Y V V 2 the 



