Fossil Shells. 29 
than the remains of most other animals. Now, as 
the species in the early rocks differ from those 
found in later formations, quite as much as the 
latter from the mollusca of our modern seas, the 
eradual change in the character of the embedded 
shells marks a certain interval of time in the world’s 
history.” So we see that these rocks are the leaves 
of a great book, written all over with wonderful 
truths, and those who study such sciences as Geo- 
logy and Conchology, are enabled to read much 
that is there written. 
Every fossil shell that such a student picks out 
of the chalk, or limestone, is like a letter in the 
Alphabet of Creation; it has a significance, or 
meaning, and a number of such put together form, 
as it were, words and sentences, that can be made 
up into chapters, full of instruction, aye, and of 
amusement too. The study may seem a little dry 
at first, but never mind, go on, and you will soon 
be rewarded for your diligence by the wonders 
that will unfold themselves to your understanding 
—the fresh and delightful views which you will 
obtain into the wide universe, the new and enlarged 
ideas of the wisdom and goodness of the Creator, 
and of the formation, habits, and connection each 
with each of his various creatures. 
