THE WONDEES OF THE SHOEE. 71 



and to cockle. Originally intended, as we suppose, 

 to face the strong-tootlied monsters of the Medi- 

 terranean, these foreigners have been left behind 

 on shores where their armour is not now needed ; 

 and yet centuries of idleness and security have 

 not been able to persuade them to lay it by ; as it 

 is written, "They continue this day as at the be- 

 ginning ; Thou hast given them a law which shall 

 never be broken." 



Enough of Cardium tuberculatum. Now, for 

 the other animals of the heap ; and first, for those 

 long white razors. They, as well as the grey 

 scimitars, are solens, Eazor-fish (Solen siligua and 

 S. ensis), burrowers in the sand by that foot 

 which protrudes from one end, nimble in escaping 

 from the Torquay boys, whom you will see boring 

 for them with a long iron screw, on the sands at 

 low tide. They are very good to eat, these razor- 

 fish ; at least, for those who so think them, and 

 abound in millions upon all our sandy shores.* 



* These shells are so common, that I have not cared to figure 

 them. 



