The Oyster. 81 



bile from the stomach to the liver, and may, perhaps, 

 be subject to bilious attacks as well as those who 

 swallow this curious piece of organization at a 

 mouthful, without thinking at all of the goodly 

 structure they are demolishing. There is the tiny 

 heart with its series of blood-vessels, just as perfect 

 as in the larger animals. There are the nerves in 

 the shape of minute feelers, which appear to be 

 acutely sensible not only of actual contact with 

 foreign bodies, but also of sounds and movements 

 from without. A very nice sense of feeling appears 

 to reside in what is called the beard, in scientific 

 language bissus ; this is a kind of double fringe to 

 the two lobes of the mantle, or sac, as it is called^ 

 which envelops the body of the animal, and floats 

 free from the shell, except just at the part nearer 

 the valve where it is attached. 



We have just spoken of the beard of the Oyster, 

 and this reminds us of a conundrum which may 

 serve to amuse our readers, and enliven these dry 

 details a little. Why is an Oyster the most anomal- 

 ous — that is strange, contradictory — creature in 

 existence ? Do you give it up ? Well, then, it is 

 because 



" It wears a beard without any chin, 

 And leaves its bed to be tucked in," 



