On Molecular and Microscopic Science, Volume 2 (of 2)Somerville, Mary
History
On Molecular and Microscopic Science, Volume 2 (of 2)
Somerville, Mary
Matter -- Constitution; Microscopy; Natural history
The shells of the Gastropoda, or crawling mollusks, have a structure
peculiar to themselves, but by no means so much varied as that of the
bivalve class. The Strombus gigas, or Queen Conch, the Cassis, or Helmet
Shell, and the beautiful porcellanous Cyprææ or Cowries, are much valued
by the artists who cut cameos, on account of the structure of their
shells, which consists of three strata, the same in composition, but
differing in arrangement, and sometimes in colour. Each stratum of the
shell is formed of many thin laminæ, placed side by side, perpendicular
to the plane of the stratum, and each lamina consists of a series of
prismatic spicules with their long sides in close approximation; the
laminæ of the inner and outer strata have their spicules parallel to one
another, while the spicules of the intermediate lamina are perpendicular
to those on each side. According to Dr. Bowerbank, who discovered this
complicated structure, the spicules are microscopic tubes filled with
carbonate of lime.
The Spondylus gædaropus has sixty ocelli constructed for accurate
vision. One can form no idea of the effect of so many eyes, unless they
combine to form one image as our eyes do. The common Pecten, or Scallop,
pretty both in form and colour, has a number of minute brilliant eyes
arranged along the inner edge of the mantle, like two rows of diamond
sparks. Some families of mollusks are destitute of eyes, even of the
simplest kind; and it has been observed that those mollusks most
liberally provided with eyes are also endowed with the most active and
vigorous motions. The bivalves do not appear to have either taste or
organs of hearing, but they are exceedingly sensitive to touch. It is
singular that animals which have neither head nor brain should have any
senses at all. A nerve-collar round the gullet with a trilobed
nerve-centre on each side supplies the place of a brain; nerves extend
from these; besides there are nerve-centres in various parts of the
unsymmetrical bodies of the acephalous mollusks.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account