ITS DIAMOND EYES. 49 



larger tentacles, and alternating -with tliem, is seen 

 a row of minute circular points, of high refractive 

 power, possessing all the brilliancy of precious stones. 

 They look indeed like diamonds of the first water, 

 each set in a ring or socket of black substance, which 

 greatly enhances their beauty. They are about 

 half as numerous again as the radiating grooves of 

 the shell ; but are not set with perfect regularity. 

 They are still less uniform in size, some having a 

 diameter twice as great as others. These are 

 believed to be eyes, and certainly they are well 

 placed for enabling the animal to watch the world 

 around it. It is very sensitive, withdrawing its ten- 

 tacles and mantle, and bringing the valves of its shell 

 together, on any shock being given to the vessel in 

 which it is kept. I observe, however, that it will not 

 actually close the valves, unless it be repeatedly dis- 

 turbed, or unless the shock be violent; contenting 

 itself with narrowing the opening to the smallest 

 space appreciable ; yet even then the two rows of 

 gem-like eyes are distinctly visible, peering out from 

 the almost closed shell ; the two appearing like one 

 undulating row from the closeness of their contiguity. 

 Those who are familiar w^th the pincushions, so fre- 

 quently made between the valves of these very Scallop 

 shells, can hardly fail to be struck with the resem- 

 blance borne by the living animal to its homely but 

 useful substitute ; and the beautiful eyes them- 

 selves might be readily mistaken for two rows of 

 diamond-headed pins, carefully and regularly stuck 

 along the two edges of the pincushion. A friend, 

 to whom I showed it w^hen nearly closed, compared 



F 



