408 
the coast of the Netherlands against the sea, were eaten through, in 
a few months ; and so weakened, as to be broken by the slightest 
force. Surprised at this alarming phenomenon, they inquired into 
its cause, and found that, by the astonishing increase in the number 
of these animals, the inhabitants were threatened with the greatest 
danger. To this alarm we owe the account given by Dr. Baster ; 
the inquiries of Dr. Massuet*; and the diffuse and elaborate, but 
truly learned work of Selliusf . 
That the fossil remains of wood, here depicted, have derived 
their present appearance from the devastation of these same crea- 
tures, there is very little reason to doubt ; since we find in them 
most of those characteristics of the testaceous habitation of the 
teredo, which Sellius has so accurately described. We here see the 
external small opening, dilating as it penetrates the substance of 
the wood— the same testaceous tube, its external surface bearing 
somewhat of an annular appearance ; whilst its internal part pre- 
sents a finely polished surface, except where invested with lapideous 
matter; and, in one specimen, an appearance resembling the hard 
testaceous cutting hemispheres may be seen, left in the wood, which 
they have been excavating, and petrified with it. In these speci- 
mens we also discover the frequent close neighbourhood of the 
different dwellings of these animals ; and remark, with admiration, 
the care and wonderful contrivance by which they have guided 
themselves, so that they should not render inconvenience to each 
other ; reminding us, that 
parcit 
Cognatis maculis sitnilis fera. 
Thus we rarely see an instance of their at all invading each other’s 
premises, whilst pursuing their frequently tortuous passage; but 
* Recherches int^ressantes de I’Origine, &c. des diverses Especes de Vers, k Turgeau. 
t Historia Naturalis Teredinis Marinae. 
