Читать книгу The Book of Shells - Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge . Committee of General Literature and Education - Страница 17

The Harp shells are found in the Indian seas, and in great abundance also in the Red Sea. A very curious fact appears in the history of the animal of the Harp which deserves notice. It was observed a long time back by a German naturalist named Bon, but had since then been either forgotten or disbelieved: a recent traveller has confirmed its truth, although he notices it as a new discovery; it is as follows:—

Harpa musica.

The foot of the animal has the power of dividing itself into two portions; and one, namely, the hinder portion, can be separated from its body by the animal, when it finds itself suddenly in danger, and wishes to retire into the deepest recess of its shell; on this account it is without an operculum, which would evidently be useless, as it would be lost at the same time as the foot.

The Harps, says Lamarck, are very beautiful shells, and if they were less common, would, on account of their elegant forms and colours, become valuable in a collection. Some species, however, are still considered rare.

The Harps take their name from the fancied resemblance between the regularity and direction of the ribs on the shell, and the strings of a harp. The species are not numerous, not exceeding eight in number.