30 
ANIMAL LIFE ON THE 
valves; and springing from the root of the peduncle, a 
sheath-like appendage, something like the form of the 
closed crust of the cockatoo, overlaps both edges, and runs 
well down on the point. This is a wise and beautiful 
arrangement in the creature's economy. If the peduncle 
be removed from the base of the valves a cavity is formed, 
giving the shell the appearance of a bishop's mitre. 
Looking into the cavity, we find the root of the sheath 
attached to the inner organs, which, when moved down- 
wards, withdraws the pressure of the shell or V-shaped 
friction strap on the edges of the shells, and an opening on 
the opposite edges is instantly formed for the protrusion of 
the creature's beautiful fishing plumes. With the with- 
drawal of the plumes again the opening is closed, and the 
leverage of the sheath applied against the intrusion of 
devouring enemies. 
Vessels returning from long voyages, or lying at anchor 
for lengthened periods in salt water, invariably have their 
bottoms well bestudded with the barnacle and its compeers, 
the balanus and mussel. However inviting these shellfish 
may appear in such places, they should be avoided as one 
would avoid the most deadly poison. Nurtured as they 
are on ship's bottoms, they take into their bodies the 
verdigris and poisonous substances of the copper or paint, 
and are sure to become dangerous, if not fatal, to any one 
who may thoughtlessly or ignorantly use them as food. 
Too much care cannot be exercised in avoiding shellfish in 
such places, and this warning is applicable to seafaring 
men as well as landsmen, the former of whom should be 
very careful in eating fish caught in distant waters, the 
nature of which they may have no conception of. I knew 
several of a steamer's crew who only, after sharp handling, 
escaped with their lives from the first-named danger ; and 
