38 
ANIMAL LIFE ON THE 
here to the right is a cluster of four belonging to the 
common black whelk species, so well known along our shore. 
BLACK WHELK. 
During mild winters this and some other species some- 
times propagate their young. In the course of six months 
these little things will have reached to fully the size of a 
garden green pea; and in six months more will be in the 
adult state. Let us detach them from their positions and 
deposit them in our phial of clear sea-water. No sooner do 
they reach the bottom, and feel themselves under the 
influence of their native element, than from inanimate 
objects they quickly turn to things in active life. One 
COMMON BLACK WHELK. 
little fellow has fallen upon his back, and it is interesting to 
observe his mode of recovering his natural position. 
Cautiously he lifts the well-fitting operculum, as it is scien- 
tifically called, or leathery-like covering of its abode, and 
reconnoitres the position, then protruding the foot over the 
outer lip of the shell, he bends downwards, and reaching 
the glass with the faintest touch of the outer edge of the 
foot, like the needle to the lodestone, he instantly adheres, 
and quickly flattening the whole foot, drags his stony castle 
over upon his body with a jerk. The progressive gait of 
the creature is very slow, resembling the rollicking motion 
of a person carrying a heavy burden on the back. The 
movement is not the most graceful, but to our taste there is 
