24, Beautiful Shells. 
THE CABINET, 
which may be either large or small, plain or hand- 
some, in accordance with the means of the collec- 
tor. Perhaps for a beginner just a nest of shallow 
drawers in a deal or other case may be quite 
sufficient ; these drawers should be divided into 
compartments, on the front side of each of which 
should be pasted a neatly-written label, with the 
common and scientific name of the species of shell 
contained in it, together with brief mention of the 
date when, and the place where, it was taken; and 
any observations relating to it which can be com- 
prised in a few words, and may seem to the 
collector of sufficient interest to warrant their 
insertion. This would be a good beginning; by 
and by, when the collection is large, the knowledge 
more ample, and the outlay can be spared, it will 
be time to think of something ornamental— 
mahogany and glass, and carved or inlaid work, such 
a Cabinet as would properly display and enhance 
the beauties of your testaceous treasures, which 
are too often stowed away, with other natural 
curiosities, in a very disorderly, higgledy-piggledy 
sort of manner, like the collection described by 
Dryden— 
