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CHAPTEE III. 

 GEOGRAPHY OP SHELLS. 



There is most perfect order in all things ; 

 Tlie smallest sea-weed hath its growing-place. 

 The hmnblest shell its rock, or cove, or bay, 

 Or ocean- haunt. And tiibes there are that dwell 

 Apart in sunnv climes : by ice-girt rocks 

 Dwell some of sober hue ; and some delight 

 To range aU seas, from Indus to the Pole. 



The geographical distribution which universally prevails 

 tlu-oughout the animal and vegetable kingdoms^ is a subject 

 fraught with the deepest interest. It brings before the 

 mind some apprehension of the harmony and order of the 

 universe ; of those fixed and certain laws, wliich even the 

 humble mollusk seems instinctively to obey. 



As yet the sub-marine pro\inces of shells have not been 

 traced with the same accuracy as those of terrestrial animals 

 and plants ; but sufficient has been ascertained to prove that 



