29 
MOLLUSCA. 
distorted and indented to suit inequalities in the surface of the 
hints. . . . 
I noticed signs that limpets prefer a hard, smooth surface to 
a pit in the chalk. On one surface of a large block, over all 
sides of which limpets. were regularly and plentifully distri- 
buted, there were two flat fragments of a fossil shell about 
3 inches by 4 inches, each embedded in the chalk. The chalk 
all round these fragments was free from limpets ; but on the 
smooth surface of the piec.es of shell they were packed as closely 
as they could be. 1 noticed another case, which almost amounts, 
to my mind, to a proof that they prefer a smooth surface to a 
hole. A limpet had formed a clearing on one of the sea- weed- 
covered blocks before referred to. In the midst of this clearing 
was a pedestal of flint rather more than one inch in diameter, 
standing up above the surface of the chalk ; it projected so 
much that a tap from my hammer broke it off. On the top of 
the smooth fractured surface of this flint the occupant of the 
clearing had taken up its abode. The shell was closely adapted 
to the uneven surface, which it would only fit in one position. 
The cleared surface was in a hollow with several small natural 
ca\ ities, where the limpet could have found a pit ready made to 
shelter in ; yet it preferred, after each excursion, to climb up to 
the top of the flint, the most exposed point in all its domain. 1 
It appears certain from these observations, which to 
some extent were anticipated by these of Mr. F. C. Lukis, 2 
that limpets, after every browsing excursion, return to 
one particular spot or home ; and the precise memory of 
direction and locality implied by this fact seems to justify 
us in regarding these actions of the animal as of a nature 
unquestionably intelligent. 
Coming now to the cephalopoda, there is no doubt 
that if a larger sphere of opportunity permitted, adequate 
observation of these animals would prove them to be 
much the most intelligent members of the sub-kingdom. 
Unfortunately, however, this sphere of opportunity has 
hitherto been very limited. The following meagre ac- 
count is all that I have been able to gather concerning 
the psychology of these interesting animals. 
According to Schneider, 3 the Cephalopoda show mi- 
1 Journal Linn . Soe. vol. xiv. p, 406 et seq a 
2 Mag. Nat. Hist. 1831, vol. iv. p. 346, 
8 Thieresche Wille , § 78, 
