OLIVES. 149 



wMte, have resorted to this trick in their ex- 

 tremely crude laboratories. 



Another interesting peculiarity has been 

 discovered in the olives in common with some 

 other animals having similar shells, that is, the 

 ability the little creature has of dissolving 

 away the earlier formed volutions of the shell, 

 and so according to its needs enlarging its place 

 of habitation. 



The islanders of the Indian Ocean fish the 

 Olividse extensively, using a number of lines 

 baited with pieces of fish. They allow these 

 lines thus baited to sink to the sandy shallows, 

 the habitat of the olives. Not a very long 

 time is required for the little animals to dis- 

 cover the feast thus spread for their use, and 

 they gather upon the pieces of fish in great 

 numbers, and are drawn up to be sold in the 

 markets. 



The Olivella, or little olive, is distinguished 

 from the typical olive by a smaller shell, more 

 extended spire, and the presence of a thin and 

 homy operculum. It is also said that the olive 

 has eyes while the Olivella has none. 



The Indians of the Pacific coast attached a 

 mercenary value to one variety of these small 

 shells — 0. biplicata — which they called "col- 

 col." 



