12 Beautiful Shells. 
for the extraordinary fact that the stony exudations 
of testaceous animals condense only on those parts 
where they are essential to their welfare. But here 
investigation ends—the microscope has done its 
office. It seems as if material nature delighted to 
baffle the wisdom of her sons, and to say to the 
proud assertors of the sufficiency of human reason 
for comprehending the mysteries of creation and of 
Providence, thus far you can go, and no farther ; 
even in the formation of a shell, or its insignificant 
inhabitant, your arrogant pretensions are completely 
humbled.’ ” 
USES OF SHELLS. 
In speaking of shells as ornaments, and objects 
worthy of our study and admiration, we have already 
mentioned some of their uses, for surely that which 
contributes to the intellectual improvement and 
innocent pleasure of mankind, is in its degree 
useful. But on the more narrow ground of utility, 
shells may also claim a high place in our estimation. 
To man in a barbarous and uncivilized state, they 
furnish the means of performing some of the most 
important operations of daily life, being extensively 
used as a substitute for iron. The savage frequently 
forms his knife, his hunting spear, and his fish-hook 
