95 



fcribed, and where the pofiTibility is fuggefted of the Bulla 

 being provided with I'ome organ within the gizzard for 

 perforating fuch fhells as are too hard to be crufhed by the 

 adlion of the gizzard-valves againft: each other. If we con- 

 fider the mufcular powers of the gizzard of fome fpecies of 

 birds, and compare the very fuperior ftrength of that of the 

 Bulla, aided by the two thick and broad teftaceous plates of 

 the flrongeft texture, we ftall not be furprifed at its capa- 

 bility of grinding even the moft compa6t of the fmaller tribe 

 of tejlacea, the powder of which is frequently obferved in 

 that part in confiderable quantity. An animal poflefled of 

 fuch extraordinary powers for maflicating and comminuting 

 its teftaceous food, cannot require an inftrument for the 

 tedious purpofe of drilling holes to get at an inclofed animal ; 

 nor is it more probable that a Murex or a Trochus have that 

 property, which has fo frequently been afcribed to them. 



A recent fpecimen of this very rare Britijb (hell was taken Patula, 

 amongfl: Sertulariie on the coaft of Devon by the trawl. It 

 was about three quarters of an inch in length. 



The animal, though flale, was opened in fearch of the 

 gizzard, wiiich it is faid to polTefs, but nothing ofthekijid 

 occurred. 



By the catalogue of JVorth Britijh fliells affixed to this 

 work it will be obferved, this fpecies has been found in more 

 than one place on our northern coaft. 



Apebta. 



