Fossils of the Niagara and Clinton Groups, 131 



by their internal structure, such as the position of the muscular impressions, 

 the form of the processes for the support of the arms, and other characters 

 which will be explained hereafter. 



It is a good plan for the student to commence with learning to recog- 

 nize species by the description given of their external form, since it is most 

 usually in a condition in which the internal characters cannot be observed 

 that these fossils are found. The insides of many species have never yet 

 been seen, and in collecting specimens particular care should be taken of all 

 those which exhibit the interior surface of the shell. Should any be found 

 of those species whose internal structure has not yet been ascertained, they 

 would be highly prized. 



In the next article we shall give the characters of several of the genera, 

 together with descriptions of a number of the species which occur in the 

 Upper Silurian rocks, and it will be there seen how and to what extent the 

 technical terms above explained may be made available. 



ARTICLE XIX. — On some of the Fossil Shells of the Niagara and Clinton 



For7natio7is. 



Having in the last article explained a few of the technical terms used 

 in palaeontology we shall now proceed to describe several of the genera of 

 fossil shells, first reminding the reader that these descriptions will be of little 

 service unless to those who collect specimens. In Natural History and 

 Geology physical action is necessary, in addition to reading and reflectioni, 

 As all science consists in the understanding and explication of the operations 

 of the laws of nature, so he that would comprehend the mysteries of any one 

 department should observe personally, otherwise his knowledge must be 

 merely theoretical. He will lose the enjoyments of learning, and only fami- 

 liarize himself ^ith the fruitless difficulties. An eminent Naturalist hag 

 ^id : — 



''Our object in examining the stone, the rock, the lichen, the moss, the 

 flower, the fruit, the insect, the bird, or the quadruped. Is to exercise our 

 faculties by learning how beautifully, and with what wisdom all things have 

 been constructed, how wonderfully they are formed with relation to each 

 other, and how manifestly they display a power of which we could form no 

 conception were we not to attend to its working as exhibited by them. It 

 is true we cannot fully comprehend the complicated relations of the most 

 eommon objects, much less understand the ordination of the universe, or even 

 of our own world ; but we labour in hope, we are studying, some of us, no 

 doubt % ery superficially — others more profoundly — the works of the Deity, 

 and the more progress we make the more we glorify Him by an intelligent, 

 not a vague admiration. There are some who aim at the knowledge of 

 general laws, some who seek simple facts. Both parties will find enough tin 

 engage their faculties, and neither will do the work of the other sufficiently. 

 There is no reason why one should despise the other. Contempt of anything 



