RONDELETIUS AND THE SCALLOP. 113 



tried the experiment, and ventured to deny the 

 truth of the statement, — a bold act when the 

 writings of the Stagyrite were regarded as almost 

 infallible. The old physician poked his finger at 

 the scallop in vain. The mollusk took no notice. 

 At last Rondelet advanced his finger into the 

 scallop's gape. What took place is obvious — 

 the scallop bit his finger. The persevering ex- 

 perimentalist bore the pain, and contradicted 

 Aristotle. 



Everywhere on the Lycian coast and through- 

 out the shores of the iEgean, especially in 

 sheltered bays, the rocks at the water's edge 

 are alive, during fine weather, with univalve 

 shells, which, by the rapidity and eccentricity 

 of their movements, evidently owe their loco- 

 motive power to some other animal-mechanism 

 than that of the mollusks who formed them. 

 If we watch, presently we shall see some one 

 more adventurous than the rest, attempt a minia- 

 ture precipice, and failing, roll over ; or perhaps 

 two crossing each other's paths, take mutual 

 offence and engage in desperate combat. Then 

 it is we notice that the possessors of the 

 shells are crustaceans, and not sea-snails — little 

 lobster-like animals, well known to zoologists 



VOL. II. I 



