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MONDAY AFTERNOON POPULAR LECTURES. 



CONCHOLOGY. 

 By Rev. G. W. Taylor. 

 ( Delivered March 10th, 1890.) 

 After some preliminary remarks concerning the scope of the study 

 ■of Conchology and the best way to make a collection of shells, the 

 lecturer proceeded to give an outline sketch of the classification of the 

 Mollusca. He showed that they are divided into four large divisions, 

 in accordance with the form and position of their organs of progression. 

 These divisions are — 

 I. CEPHALOPODA, as the Nautilus and Squid, which have their 

 feet grouped around the head. 



II. GASTEROPODA, or stomach-footed, as the common snail which 

 progresses by the regular movement of the muscles of the ventral 

 surface. 



TIL SCAPHOPODA, or boat-footed, a very small order containing 

 only the Dentalia or Tooth Shells and their allies. 



IV. PELECYTODA, or axe-footed Mollusca. This order contains all 



the bivalves, such as oysters, clams, mussels, etc. 



Under each of the heads an account was given of the anatomy, 

 geological age and present distribution of some of the better known 

 species, and attention was drawn to the importance of studying the 

 animal of the different shells. 



Before closing his interesting lecture Mr. Taylor went on to speak 

 of the way in which the study of the variations of species in the mol- 

 lusca brought the conchologist face to face with the great theories of 

 •evolution and development. He said : — " A paper on evolution was 

 read before this Club a week or two ago and in the discussion that fol- 

 lowed, a remark fell from one of the speakers concerning the conflict 

 between evolution and theology. Now, as I know, that there are many 

 of you who would hesitate to accept evolution, if at variance with theo- 

 logy, while there are others, perhaps, who would eagerly throw overboard 

 their theology, if apparently contradicted by evolution. I think that it 

 may be useful to state the opinion on these matters of one who has 



