They were nearly round, a little flattish on one side, which lies next to the bottom of the sea; and they are from one to eight inches thick.

They crawl up into shallow water at particular seasons of the year, probably for the purpose of gendering, as we often find them in pairs.

It is when the sun has the most power on the water, rendering it tepid, that they approach the shore; and they often go up into places so shallow that, on the tide's receding, they are left dry, exposed to the beat of the sun.

But they do not bring forth their young in shallow water, as we never see any of their progeny, and full-grown ones are always observed coming in from deep water.

They feed principally on that class of zoophytes which produce the coral.
"The _biche de mer_ is generally taken in three or four feet of water; after which they are brought on shore, and split at one end with a knife, the incision being one inch or more, according to the size of the mollusca.