ESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS. 311 



Thus far I have treated this branch of my subject in 

 a scientific point of view, and I have at the same time 

 endeavoured to illustrate some of the curious ways and 

 instincts of the Mollusca which inhabit the surface of 

 this country. I am not without hope that many others, 

 who possess better opportunities than I have at present, 

 may be induced to institute similar researches, and thus 

 to improve what I have done, as well as correct those 

 errors which have unavoidably occurred in a rather ex- 

 tensive investigation. 



There is, however, another aspect in which the matter 

 may be considered ; and that is, with reference to our 

 own aesthetic ideas of these humble works of our Com- 

 mon Creator. Other divisions of animated nature have 

 received a large share of attention from philosophers 

 and poets ; and their best works in ancient and modern 

 times abound in references to the larger animals, as well 

 as to birds and insects, but more especially to flowers, 

 the simple yet ornate beauty of which appears to affect 

 the mind in a peculiar manner. But the less conspicuous 

 and attractive assemblage of snails, which have been 

 exhibited in the foregoing pages, (although equally in- 

 teresting to the naturalist) have not been honoured with 

 much notice by the philosopher or poet; and I woidd 

 venture to make this appeal to such on behalf of my 

 little favourites, trusting that their claims, as our fellow- 

 creatures, to a share of that sympathy which animates 

 the great and stirring intellects of this age may not be 

 entirely overlooked. A gifted and well-read friend has 

 kindly sent me the following result of his examination of 

 the subject in a poetical sense, which will, I hope, be 

 acceptable to some of my fair readers. 



