SHORES OF THE CLYDE AND FIRTH. 45 
exhibits such care. Often I have found him with his 
wimble through the univalves operculum^ or the tough 
brown scale that protects the opening of its abode. But 
what about the drill itself ? Well, we must confess that 
it is somewhat difficult to see, for no sooner do you lift him 
off his victim than he quickly draws it within. A sun- 
shining day is best, with lens in hand, and standing in a 
position to get the benefit of the sun's rays. If satisfied 
the animal has been settled upon his victim long enough to 
have his wimble well inserted, pluck him up quickly, 
and at the same instant, turning up the mouth, apply the 
lens, and before he has time to Avithdraw it within the 
sheath you may have a very fair sight. That mode might 
satisfy the anti-vivisectionist, but it will in nowise do for 
accurate description. The next and most humane way, 
then, is to crack the shell as gently as possible, and, re- 
lieving the entire animal, lay him out to die, which will 
take place in a few minutes. Entering the knife then 
exactly between the horns, and making a deep cut, a gut- 
like membrane pops out, resembling very much in colour 
and shape the stone of the date, but with no incision on the 
side, and tapering a little towards the top. This is the 
sack or sheath that contains the wimble we are in search 
of. We split it open, and there lies beneath the gaze of 
our lens the wonderful instrument. 
DOG WHELK WIMBLE. 
In colour, it is a beautiful transparent amber ; in form, it 
is longitudinal, divided by two angled or V-shaped gutters 
connected at the base, forming it into three distinct bars or 
divisions, the outer edges of the right and left of which 
are capable of being drawn towards the back by the con- 
traction of the fleshy muscle on which the instrument is 
D 
