HABITATIONS OF MOLLUSKS. 25 



swathed and filleted, so exactly after the fashion of the 

 Eruca or chrysalis, that the resemblance could not be acci- 

 dental. The sages of that country, who expressed all 

 their notions by symbols, also signified the supposititious 

 transmigration of the soul by the transformation of the 

 insect ; and the Grecian poets, improving on this idea, made 

 use of the same symbol to designate its immortality. In 

 like manner the botanist confesses, in the unfolding of the 

 calyx which covers the gaudy head of the oriental poppy, 

 an attractive emblem of the expanding of the human mind, 

 as it emerges from a state of ignorance ; and in the gradual 

 development of a plant, the progressive advancement of 

 every moral excellence. 



And shall no tender or appropriate emblem rise in the 

 mind of the conchologist, when he observes the tints of the 

 aurora, or the colour of gold or purple amethyst emerging 

 from under a rough tartar, or shaggy epidermis? The 

 Christian philosopher confesses in the humble mollusk a 

 striking emblem of human nature in a savage or unconverted 

 state, without beauty, without comeliness, destitute of all 

 those graces which exalt the man, or adorn the Christian. 

 But, behold, the hand of the refiner is upon him: he 

 emerges from the veil of obscurity which had previously 



