252 
NATURAL HISTORY 
MUSCLE. 
The Muscle consists of two equal shells, 
joined at the back by a strong muscular 
ligament, that answers all the purposes of 
a hinge. By the elastic contraction of these, 
the animal can open its shells at pleasure, 
about a quarter of an inch from each other. 
The fish is fixed to either shell by four ten- 
dons, by which it shuts them close, and keeps 
its body firm from being crushed by any 
shock against the walls of its own habitation. 
It is furnished, like all other animals of this 
kind, with vital organs, though these are 
situated in a very extraordinary manner. It 
has a mouth furnished with two fleshy lips. 
Muscles are taken from their beds from 
July to October, and are sold at a very 
moderate price. 
