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88 VARIETY OF FORM.
closed in cases, which remind us of the diving-bell, lie hid in ocean's caves; or occasionally descend to the very bottom of the sea. The limpet, in his conical dwelling, lives like a solitary hermit on the sea-coast : the pinna has a shell so large as to admit other guests: the chiton rolls himself up in the plaited folds of his armour, at the first approach of danger; while other fish, apparently more defenceless, have shells of such a form as to enable them to make a speedy retreat from their enemies."*
Lewis wanted much to know what the armour of the chiton was; but just as he was going to make the in |
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* See Roberts's Conchologist's Companion. |
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