348 MALACOZOA. TROPIOrODA, 



known to science ; but I must content myself with 

 picking up a few, and hasten to complete my labours . 

 Not a single naturalist is to be seen around ; my pupils 

 are engaged at this moment in electing a Rector, and 

 the few idlers who are strolling on the sands, know as 

 little about MoUusca, as the sheep on the hnks know 

 about the comparative merits of the systems of Linnaeus 

 and Jussieu. 



On this very beach, and on such an occasion as the 

 present, commenced my endeavours to cultivate an ac- 

 quaintance with the MoUusca; and among the more 

 remarkable objects which it then presented, was this 

 Mactra stultorum, so abundant now. Little did I then 

 imagine that, after twenty-five years of toil and trouble, 

 I should return, to find more beautiful specimens of a 

 shell, no doubt often gathered by the sort of persons 

 whose name it bears, but also, I trust, by some who 

 may, through courtesy at least, obtain a more creditable 

 designation. 



As I was pondering on these things, and, like a gull 

 among sand-eels, picking up what caught my eye, I was 

 most agreeably surprised by the well-known accents of 

 a most zealous and very celebrated naturahst, who, at- 

 tracted from afar by the unusual bustle, had come to 

 gratify his curiosity. In his most pleasant company 

 was conducted the last scramble for the MoUusca, which 

 I now resign to those possessed of more time and ta- 

 lents. 



