Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-05-02
THE PHOLADES.

OF all animals of the shelly tribe, the
pholades are the most wonderful. These
animals are found in different places =
sometimes clothed in their proper shell, at
the bottom of the ewater,--sometimes con-
cealed in Jumps of marty earth,-and |
sometimes lodged, shell and all, in body
of the hardest marble. In their proper
shell they assume different fgures-but
in general they somewhat resemble a
muscle, except that their shell is found
actually composed of five or more pieces,
the small valves serving to close up the
openings left by the irregular meeting of
the two principal shells. But this pene-
tration into rocks and their residences
there, make up the most wonderful part
part of their history.
This animal, when divested ofits shell
resembles roundish soft pudding, with
no instrument that seems in the least fit
ted for boring into stone, or even pene-
trating the softest substance. 1t is fur
nished with two teeth, indeed-but these
are placed in such situation as to be in
capable of touching the hollow surface
of its stony dwelling. 1t also has two
covers to its shell that open and shut at
either end-but these are totally unser-
viceable TO it as miner. The instru-
ment with which it performs all its oper-
ations, and buries itself in the hardest
rocks, is only broad feshy substance,
somewhat resembling a tongue, that is
seen issuing from the bottom of its shell.
With this soft, yielding instrument it per-
forates the most solid marbles-and hav-
ing while yet little and young, made its
way, by very narrow entrance, into
the stone, it then begins to grow bigger
and thus to enlarge its apartment.
When it has buried its body in stone
it there continues for life at its ease-tht
sea-water that enters at the little aper
ture supplying it with luxurious plenty
When the animal has taken too grea
quantity of water, it is seen to spirit j
out of its hole with some violence. Up
on this seemingly thin diet, it quickl,
grows larger, and soon finds itself unde
a necessity of enlarging its shell. TIL
motion of the pholades is slow beyon'
+ coneeption-its progress keeps pace wit
the growth Of its body, and in proper
ton as il becomes larger, it makes it
. way further into the rock. When it ha
got certain way IN, it turns from it
, former direction, and hollows downward
till at last, when its habitation is complete,
!, the whole apartment resembles the bow
of a tobacco pipe-the hole in the shanl
being that by which the animal entered
] But they are not supplied only wit
e their rocky habitation-they have also
9 shell to protect them-but this she
# grows upon them in the body of the rocl
and seems very unnecessary additio
e to that defence which they have procure
lf shenselves by art. These shells tax
IT different forms, and are often compose
h of different numbers of valves-somt
if times six, sometimes but three-somt
r times the shell resembles a tube wit
4 holes at either end, one for the mout
and the other for voiding the excrement
IT This animal is found in great number
4 at Anconin, in Italy; it is found alon
10 the shores of Normandy; and Poictier
n in France; it is found also, upon some
ID the coasts of Scotland-and in gener
$. is considered very great delicacy at ii
r tables of the luxurious.