Page:Natural History, Mollusca.djvu/209

 their bases; the mantle digitated, loose, with a rudimentary siphon; the foot short, angular in front, and obtuse behind; the branchial plume single; the operculum horny.



We have two native species, called the Cormorant's foot (A. pes carbonis), and the Pelican's foot (A. pes pelicani). Of these the former is exceedingly rare, the latter very common. The name in both cases is derived from the wing-like expansion of the adult shell resembling the webbed foot of a sea-bird. The Pelican's foot is the larger shell, measuring commonly about two inches in length, and nearly an inch and a half in width, when full grown. Its colour is yellowish, with clouds and spots of chestnut brown. The animal is yellowish-white, marked with scarlet spots, especially about the head and on the tentacles. It is commonly brought up by the dredge, particularly from a gravelly bottom. In captivity it is uninteresting, as it remains sluggish and inactive, obstinately