48 WORMS. Class VI. 



Soft or Mollusca,* Testaceous, Litho- 

 phytes, and Zoophytes. 



The Intestixal (heretofore styled the 

 earthly) perforate all things by help of the 

 great simplicity of their form. The Gordius 

 pierces the clay, that the water may perco- 

 late; the Lumbricus, the common soil, least 

 it should want moisture ; the Teredo, wood, 

 to promote its decay. In like manner, Pho- 

 lades, and some sorts of mussels, penetrate 

 even rocks, to effect their dissolution. 

 , The Mollusc a are naked, furnished with 

 arms ; for the most part wander through the 

 vast tract of ocean ; by their phosphoreous 

 quality illuminate the dark abyss, reflecting 

 lights to the heavens; thus what is below 

 corresponds with the lights above. 



These Mollusca often become the inhabitants 

 of testaceous calcareous covers, which they 

 carry about with them, and often they them- 

 selves penetrate calcareous bodies ; like in- 

 sects, are multiplied into infinite variety; and 

 exhibit, both in form and colors, splendid 



* Mollusca signifies a tribe of animals which are so called 

 as being soft or fleshy, and are destitute of any bones, those in- 

 ternal fulcra or props to the muscles of other animals, — Quadru- 

 peds, Birds, Fishes, or Reptiles. H. D. 



