on the Chitonidce. 31 



scales of Chiton, from their more constant motion, rarely afford a rest- 

 ing-place to the SerpulcE and other bodies which are so often dispersed 

 over the broad and solid scuta. The Zoologist, while he takes the size 

 and leading characters of the species from full-grown specimens, will 

 do well to colour from young ones, which are commonly free from any 

 incrustations or injuries. I have observed that some species, of which it 

 is commonly impossible to find specimens not corroded and spoiled, are 

 in certain localities beautifully perfect, and that many species are altoge- 

 ther local, and confined to particular coasts and reefs. 



In the 10th number of the Zoological Journal, p. 193, Mr. Frembly 

 has given some of the most interesting observations which have ever been 

 made on these animals. His mode of killing them, however, is very 

 faulty, and would lead to the loss of the greater part of the specimens. 

 Their beauty will in all cases depend on the mode in which they are cap- 

 tured and killed. The finest specimens will of course be those which 

 are preserved in spirit, and exhibit no contraction of the zone. I have, 

 however, been able to dry the whole animal with so great success, that 

 specimens long preserved can scarcely be distinguished from living ones. 

 The capture of them, from the violence of the surf, I have sometimes 

 found a dangerous occupation, the waves having nearly carried me from 

 the rocks. The Naturalist should choose the hour of lowest tide on a 

 calm day, and go prepared vnth a blunt, round-pointed dinner-knife, a 

 few negro calabashes, or a small keg with a smooth interior, and sus- 

 pended by a string. These should be half filled with sea-water. Speci- 

 mens found on smooth stones may, with little force, be slided off into the 

 keg to the sides of which they will immediately attach themselves in their 

 natural position. If they are found on rough coral, or uneven rock, the 

 knife must be suddenly inserted under the zone, and the animal turned 

 up : or if the coral be soft, a small chisel may be forced under the spot 

 occupied, and the animal secured without injury. The adhesion, which 

 is slight when they are undisturbed, on the slightest alarm becomes so 

 great, that they cannot, when on hard rocks, be secured without lacerating 

 the sides. By the time they are carried home, all will have attached 

 themselves to the wooden vessel, and the cold water having been poured 

 out, scalding water must be suddenly dashed on them, and not poured 

 gently through a tea-kettle. Few will fall or bend their bodies : as soon 



