WORMS. Class VL 

 The Intestine (heretofore ftyled the earthly) 

 perforate all things by help of the great fimpli- 

 city of their form. The Gordius pierces the 

 clay, that the water may percolate-, the Lum- 

 ericus, the common foil, lead it mould want 

 moifture ; the Myxine, dead bodies, in order 

 that they may fall innoxioufly to pieces ; the 

 Teredo, wood, to promote its decay. In like 

 manner, Pholades, and fome forts of muffels pe- 

 netrate even rocks, to effect their difiblution. 



The Mollusca, or Soft, are naked, furnilhed 

 with arms ; for the mofl part wander through the 

 vafl tract of ocean -, by their phofphoreous quality 

 illuminate the dark abyfs, reflecting lights to the 

 heavens -, thus what is below correfponds with the 

 lights above. 



Thefe Mollusca often become the inhabitants 

 of teftaceous calcareous covers, which they carry 

 about with them, and often they themfelves pene- 

 trate calcareous bodies •, like infects, are multiplied 

 into infinite variety : and exhibit, both in form 

 and colors, fplendid examples of the excelling 

 powers of the all-mighty Artificer. Nor are they 

 without their ufes -, feveral fpecies afford a delicious 

 and nounfhing nutriment. The healing art calls 

 in the fnail in ccnfumptive cafes ; and the fhells 

 calcined are of known efficacy in flubborn acidities. 

 Shells are the great manure of lands in many pares 

 of thefe kingdoms. The pearls of Great Britain 

 have been celebrated from the time of Cafar. 



CLASS 



