SHORES OF THE CLYDE AND FIRTH. 
Ill 
out their whole length, and used in swimming or locomotion 
purposes. Turning over on its back, a position in which it 
seems to have the greatest amount of freedom, the valves 
have the power of opening to a very wide capacity, and 
then the tentacles, stretching out to their fullest extent, 
hang gracefully all round and over the valves like stalks of. 
waving rye. In this position the beauty of the creature is 
very fairly seen ; beneath the tentacles, the mantle also 
protrudes beyond the valves, and shows a surface as soft 
and mellow as the cheek of the peach. Deeper in are the 
interior organs, some of which very much resemble those of 
the scallop, and these are lined with the crimson and pink 
blush of the rose. In the swimming movements of the 
creature, the arms are thrown forward and drawn back 
with a sweep towards the side, in the very same fashion as 
the movements of the arms of a human being when 
swimming. The in sectioned condition of the arms, just as 
if cut in a lathe with a comb, facilitates the movement, and 
it is wonderful the speed that is attained. At every stroke 
the creature is sent fully twice its own length upwards and 
onward, but sometimes in a circuitous course. Altogether 
the lima is a wonderful creature, and a most interesting 
object in the tank; but, like the fragile flowers of the field, 
confinement soon blights its beauty, and brings it early 
death. 
Turning now for a look at the scallop, our friend of the 
old shoe, we are surprised to find him sticking upon the 
perpendicular end wall of the tank, about three inches from 
the bottom. What keeps him suspended there ? and how 
did he manage to climb to the point ? Fortunately for the 
first problem, we are able, from his position, to ply the lens 
without interfering with him, and we at once see that he is 
actually held in his place by a byssus of three or four 
