CHAPTER II. 

 GROWTH AND HABITATION. 



Oh, there are cimons things of which men know 

 As yet but little ! — secrets lying hid 

 Within all natural objects. Be they shells, 

 Which ocean flingeth forth fi-om off her billows 

 On the low sand, or flowers, or trees, or grasses. 

 Covering the earth ; rich metals or bright ores 

 Beneath the surface. He who findeth out 

 Those secret things, hath a fair right to gladness ; 

 For he hath well performed, and doth wake 

 Another note of praise on Natm"e's harp 

 To hymn her Great Creator. 



Shells form either a coat-of-mail_, or shed, or marine pavilion, 

 adapted to the exigencies of the wearer ; and no sooner has a 

 young mollusk, whether oviparous or viviparous, emerged to 

 life, than its embryo shell increases by the gradual deposition 

 of lime and gluten from the mantle, in such varieties of form 

 as pertain to its habits and destination. Though inferior 



