112 Beautiful Shells. 



resembles leather, being very tough and wrinkled ; 

 the edges of this mantle extend beyond the borders 

 of the plates, which overlap each other, so as to 

 constitute a kind of armour, very different from 

 the conical shell of the Limpet, or the turbinated, 

 that is twisted, case of some of the Borers. The 

 coverings of the Chitons are variously marked, so 

 that each distinct species is known by its peculiar 

 pattern, as a knight of old by the quarterings of 

 his shield. All the mantles, however, have scaly, 

 hairy, or spiny margins. In this coat of mail the 

 animal can roll itself up like an armadillo, and so 

 be tolerably secure from its enemies ; it has an oval 

 foot, the sides of which are covered with small 

 leaflets, and by means of this it can attach itself 

 to rocks, like the Limpet, or travel about in search 

 of adventures. It has no distinct head, therefore 

 it is acephalous; nor any perceptible eyes. The 

 mouth is furnished with a long tongue, curled up 

 spirally, like a watch-spring, and armed with horny 

 teeth. 



The members of the Chiton family are numerous, 

 being found on most rocky shores; they attain 

 the largest size in the hottest climates, having 

 never been found very far north. The British 

 species are small, and not more than two or three 



