18 Panama Shells. INTRODUCTION. 



next day we rode to Panama, where I soon found myself 

 at home in the American Hotel.* Before 8 A. M , of the next 

 Jay, shells had been collected in such quantity and variety, 

 that, had nothing more been subsequently collected, the re- 

 sults of the expedition would have seemed ample. 



The objects proposed to be accomplished, during a few 

 weeks at Panama, were the following : 



1. To make collections for the Museum in Amherst Col- 

 lege. The original plan had embraced the Crustacea, Radiata, 

 and other animals, but the short time to be devoted to it, and 

 especially the impossibility of making suitable preparation 

 during the few hours, which were allowed for this purpose, 

 rendered it expedient to restrict the objects mainly to the col- 

 lection of shells. 



2. A second object was to ascertain, with the certainty 

 of personal observation, what and how many species of shells 

 exist at Panama. Having formerly collected about 500 ma- 

 rine species in Jamaica, near the centre of the Caribbean Zoo- 

 logical province, it was thought that a comparison of these au- 

 thentic materials would not be without interest. These two 

 were the principal objects of the expedition. 



3. A subordinate object was to make some observations on 

 the habits of the species, in respect of station. Mr. Cuming's 

 careful explorations had left but little to be added, but that 

 little is therefore perhaps the more valuable. This knowledge 

 was also a necessary preliminary to the acquisition of such a 

 quantity of specimens as would fully illustrate the varieties, 

 which may exist within the limits of a species. But these 

 observations, could not be extended to the pelagic species 

 on account of the enormous expense of boating consequent on 



* With James C. Staples, Esq , the proprietor, an old acquaintance and con- 

 nection, who with his partner, myself, and all my Mollusks, occupied as comfort 

 able an apartment as the place could furnish. 



