Z'Z rS-TEODrCTION TO COXCHOLOGY. 



of pearly opal and ametlivstj clung to the slieltering rocks, 

 as if fearful of being separated from them by the agitated 

 waves of the surrounding element. And -while obser\ing 

 their various forms and movements, the shell collector could 

 not help reflecting on the adaptation of those creatures to 

 their different locaHties, with an earnest wish to unravel the 

 mysteries of their existence. For little as yet is known 

 concerning their connection with different rocks and sea- 

 weeds ; still less as regards their fitness for them, or their 

 union with that element which often conceals them in its 

 deep recesses. 



Several of the rocks exhibited beautiful specimens of gor- 

 geous sea-weeds, which presented, in the variety of their 

 configurations, long tufts of various hues, or garlands, 

 festoons, or cordages, that trembled and ghttered in the 

 Avater ; haunts of innumerable mollusks, some of which ex- 

 hibited the glowing colours of the rainbow, or tints of the 

 richest tulips; others resembled little marine lamps sus- 

 pended in the crevices of dark rocks ; others, again, appeared 

 as if encased with silver armom-, as they walked beneath 

 the spreading branches of the Madi-epore. 



Different kinds of shells are often invested with an outer 

 covering of considerable beauty, resembling either a thin 



