10 POPULAR CONCHOLOGY. 



other ranks of creation, the appropriate appa- 

 ratus is adapted in every case. Amongst those 

 which are carnivorous, some that have the 

 power of locomotion are furnished with ap- 

 pendages, by which they can capture their 

 prey ; others, that are fixed, by producing a 

 slight current, obtain a constant stream of 

 water supplied to their mouths, bringing with 



it minute animals, which they retain. The 

 mouth of the former is usually in the form 

 of a proboscis, which is furnished with little 

 hooks, with which they can penetrate the 

 shells of those they feed on, and extract the 

 contents. Those which are herbi- 

 vorous, cut and masticate their food. 

 In many cases they are provided 

 with a single tooth, which they fix 

 upon the substance they are about 

 to devour. Many have teeth acting 



