THE HOUSE THAT THE OYSTER BUILT. 93 



working in the point of the knife, and when the two valves 

 are separated, it requires a considerable wrench to tear 

 them asunder. This is the effect of two strong muscles 

 placed between the valves, their fibres passing directly 

 across from the inner surface of the one to that of the 

 other, and firmly attached to both. In a pair of fresh 

 oyster-shells weighing 3,488 grains, the entire spring of the 

 hinge weighed three grains and a half; and its elastic 

 power was equal to the pressure of three pounds fifteen 

 ounces avoirdupois, when placed upon the centre of the 

 flat valve, and confined to the insertion of the valvular 

 muscle. 



How then, is our admiration demanded by the structure 

 of a shell ! Utterly destitute of vitality, with no vessels 

 permeating its substance, and as incapable of expansion by 

 any internal power as the rock on which it grows, what 

 astounding marvels does it exhibit ! We ask, By what 

 agency are they wrought ? and the only answer that can be 

 given leaves us involved in mystery : It is the agency of 

 life, (e) 



To adopt the words of an eminent naturalist, Dr. W. 

 Harvey: "Every plant and every animal is, while its life 

 endures, a personal fellow-worker with the Deity, not 

 creating, as He creates, absolutely, but an author of relative 

 creations an agent in His Hand of changes which force 

 merely physical could never compass. The growth of cellular 

 or vascular tissue, whereby the body, once but a living speck, 

 becomes what God has destined it to become ; the internal 

 action of organised bodies, animal will, the reproduction 

 of the species, all these are utterly antagonistic to the 

 physical laws of matter. They are manifestations of that 

 other agency life, an attribute of the personal God ; and 

 (e) " Adventures of an Oyster." 



