100 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



the coast, and in some places is so plentiful, that the hand can 

 scarcely be laid upon the rock without covering one or two of 

 the holes. 



The shell itself is extremely fragile, and of a rather soft tex- 

 ture, and its outer surface is covered with ridges, that sweep in 

 the most graceful curves from the hinge to the edge, and bear 



PHOLAi, rN WUUD 

 LITH0D0MTJ3. 



KAZOR SHELL. 



HOLEt; OF PHOLAS IN BUCK. 



some rcseiulilancc to the projections upon a file. Yet practical 

 naturalists have proved that, by mer.ns of these tiny points and 

 ridges, the Pholas is able to work its way into the rock ; for not 

 only can a similar hole be bored by using the shell as a bradawl 

 is used to pierce wood, but tlie creature has actually been watched 

 while in the act of insinuating itself into the chalk rock, a feat 



