OR, GLIMPSES BENEATH THE WATERS. 



in a little book of this extent, many others must of 

 necessity be omitted. This beautiful little crea- 

 ture, CyprcEa Europcea^ carrying its porcelain-like 

 dwelling on its back, is enabled to move steadily 

 along by the action of its single foot. When in * 

 action, the mantle, as it is termed, which is the gene- 

 ral covering of the body, is greatly distended, and 

 protrudes from the shell, which it perfectly encloses, 

 folding up at the sides, and meeting at the top, 

 the joining being scarcely perceptible, and the 

 whole surface fitting so tightly to the shell, that 

 the little ribbings are seen distinctly through it. 

 It is curious to observe the act of respiration, and all 

 the associated phenomena of this wonderful little 

 animal. The foot is pale orange, the mantle delicate 

 olive, spotted with black and studded with pro- 

 truding glands of yellow. It is, in short, when in a 

 state of activity, a most curious and beautiful crea- 

 ture, of whose appearance and habits thousands, 

 who only know and admire the deserted shell, can 

 have no idea. 



The bivalves, of which all are aquainted with 

 at least one kind — the delicious edible Oyster — offer 

 many animals suited to Aquaria. The curious 

 Razor-shell, but for its habit of burrowing, would 

 form a very curious object ; and the Cockles, from 



83 



