Book IX. Ifand of BARBADOS. 279 
The BrEEF-SHELL. 
Patella oblonga, articulata articulis frriatis, extus Jubfufcis, intus e 
viridi ceruleis. 
HIS is from one.to two Inches long: The Shell, which is of a 
| blackith-grey Colour, is divided into eight Joints laid over one 
another: By theHelp of thefe the inclofed Fith can either bend inwardly, 
or expand and ftreighten its Shell at Pleafure. The Edges of the Shell are 
covered over with a greenifh ftrong bearded thread-like Subftance : 
The Fith, which is of a pale-reddith Colour, is very firm eating, fhort, 
and well-tafted. Thefe Beeves are likewife diftinguifhed into the Day and 
Night- Beeves, 
The Cornua AMMONIs. 
FEANHESE are properly called Zubuli vermium albidi, vel e rubro 
iB fufei; and are generally of a dull-white Colour, incurvated in 
many Revolutions like a Ram’s Horn, but far clofer together; the 
{mall gyral Extremity ending in a Point, the other being fealed or glazed 
over. There are fome to be met with by far lefs curvated than the above-~ 
defcribed. They are often found upon a Place called Long Bay, in the 
Parifhes of S¢. Andrew, and St. Fofeph. 
The Sta-Eaca. 
HESE are diftinguifhed into three Sorts; the black, the grey, 
and the fhooting Sea-Egg. The two former are chiefly the 
eatable Kind: Their Appearance very much refembles an Hedge-hog 
in a defentfive Pofture: It is of a globular Form, depreffed at both Ends; 
its Mouth being a {mall round Hole in the Middle of one of the depreffed. 
Surfaces, having five Teeth, the Points of all meeting in the Centre : 
The whole Shell is very thickly ftudded round with fharp-pointed Prickles 
of about an Inch long. Thefe ferve as offenfive and defenfive Weapons, 
the latter to guard it againft the white Gavally, a Fith, which, inftead of 
Teeth, hath ftrong bony Mandibles, and preys upon Shell-Fifh. Thefe 
Prickles ferve alfo inftead of Feet; for, by moving thefe, it can roll‘on in 
an orbicular manner to find out its Prey, or to avoid Danger. Thefe 
Prickles are jointed to the Shells by a Socket, which exactly fits a protube- 
rant Knob arifing from the Surface of the Shell. From the Socket of thefe 
Prickles arife likewife many {mall cartilaginous Sinews, which terminate 
in the innumerable {mall Holes, which in a very beautiful Manner per- 
forate the Shell. It is by the Help of thefe that the Prickles are cable 
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