File:The illustrated natural history (microform) (1863) (20648594951).jpg

Title: The illustrated natural history (microform)
Identifier: cihm_50039 (find matches)
Year: 1863 (1860s)
Authors: Wood, J. G. (John George), 1827-1889
Subjects: Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles
Publisher: London : Routledge, Warne, and Routledge
Contributing Library: www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookcontributorCanadiana_org
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Alberta Libraries

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I'oliCl'l'IN'K .SHA-MClC-SE.â.â Ij)'i/'.i/i7c hi/.-^triaUa. SHA-MllUSi;.â.lj)/iriKfi/( mutaUa. but wlicn scon in its living stato, or ovon wlion preserved in spirits of wine, proves to lio one of tlie most gorgeous inliabitants of earth. The S(;a-M(jusk, as tlie creature is called from its hairy coat, possesses beauties wliicli never fail to strike even the unobservant eye of a casual ))assenger, as the womh'ous lines of ruby, emerald, sa))phire, andevery imaginable gem, iiash from the coat of this breathinj,' rainbow. Each hair of the Hea-numse is a living prism, and when held singly before the eyes is a most magnificent object in sjiite of its small dimensions, Hinging out gleams of changing colours as it is moved in the lingers, or the direction of the light is changed. I have often thought that if Shakespeare had only known of the Aphrodite, he might have furnished ()ueeu ^fab with a still more fairy-like conveyance. Yet the habits of the creature seem to be quite out of accordance with its exc(>C(liii,i,' beauty. When the suidight falls on its surface, the many-hued hairs give Ibitli a chromatic radiance which is almost painful to the eyes iVom its very intensity; and it would lie liut natural to conclude that the A)ihrodite nr.uh its home in the sunniest spots, and welcomed the dawn Mith gladness. Such, however, is not the case; for tliis beautiful creature, which wears all the colours of the liumming-bird and seems eipiallya ciiild of the sun, passes its life under stones, shells, and similar localities at tlie iiuukly bottom of the sea. Tiie whole gnnqi of the Aphroditacea is separated from the rest of the order by reason of the curious mode in which its respiration is conchieted. If the beautiful hairs be pushed aside, a series of scales will be seen ujion the back, which are guarded by a covering of a loose felt-like; sub.stance, com))osed of interwoven hairs, This felt, if it may bo so called, acts as a filter, which is very necessary, considering the muddy localities in which the creature lives, and permits the water to pass in a lairitied .state to tlie breathing ajijiaratus, which is set 1)('neatli the scales. These scales or plates move up ami down soinetliing like the gills of a tish, and by their alternating movements have the power of admitting the water and then e.xpeiliiig it in regular pulsations, if a recent speeimen be examined, a considerable quantity of mud is always to be found entangled in ihe felt- like covering of the scales.

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