ZOOLOGY. 



273 



culty will arise in removing the inhabitant, as almost instant- 

 ly the animal is dead the shells open, and their contents are 

 easily extracted ; the greatest attention should be observed 

 not to injure either the hinge or teeth, as from the structure 

 of these parts, the generic characters are principally founded ; 

 care should likev?ise be taken to preserve any beard or silky 

 threads that may be attatched, as these will often assist in 

 making out the species. 



In the brief sketch we have given of the habits of each 

 genera, their haunts are mostly alluded to, some are 

 only to be obtained accidentally, when detatched from 

 rocks situated beneaT.: the depths of the ocean, others are 

 found in rocky currents, or in shallows of four or five 

 fathoms depth, many resort to the sands or mud on the 

 beach, beneath the surface of which they retire as the water 

 recedes, numerous kinds may be found attatched to sub- 

 marine rocks ; most kinds are but of little worth, after being 

 exposed on the beach to the sun and air ; so that to have 

 them in perfection, they should, if practicable, be obtained 

 with their inhabitant alive ; a Trawling or Dtedge net, 

 such as in common use with fishermen, will be found very 

 useful, as by it many kinds can be obtained from deep water, 

 which would otherwise only come accidentally to shore. 



Many valuable shells may be found on the l^each after 

 violent storms, being removed or separated from their native 

 beds by the agitations of the water ; some kinds may be 

 found affixed to the bottoms of ships that have been long 

 stationed in warm climates, as also the stocks of anchors, 

 cables, &c. 



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