64 



POPULAR CONCHOLOGY. 



at one end of the shell, and a cylindrical foot 

 at the other. — 20 species, recent.* 



These animals bury themselves in the sand, 

 in which they form holes perpendicular to the 

 surface, occasionally to the depth of a couple of 

 feet, and which they ascend and descend as 

 occasion requires ; they are sometimes used as 

 food, but in places where they abound, they 

 are sought after as bait for fish, and are cap- 

 tured in a singular manner. The retreat of 

 the creature having been observed, the fisher- 

 man throws into the entrance a small quantity 

 of salt, which quickly causes it to make its 

 appearance, that substance in its pure state 

 appearing to have a very irritating effect upon 

 the animal, although an inhabitant of salt 

 water ; as soon as it is visible at the surface, 

 the person lying in wait for it snatches hastily 

 at it, and if he succeeds in grasping it firmly, 

 makes good his capture; should he, however, 

 fail, and the animal escape by gaining its 

 retreat again, the application of more salt pro- 

 duces no farther effect, either from the Solen 



* One species is found in the fossil as well as the recent 

 state, and one in the fossil only. 



