132 INTRODLXTION TO CONCHOLOGY. 



buried appearance, as if the calcif}ing organ of the animal 

 ■which had carried on its work with so much beauty and 

 symmetry to a certain point, had suddenly been charged 

 to overflowing, and its arcliitectiu'al design, so to speak, 

 had become nullified. 



But though nothing has transpired with regard to the 

 animal inhabitant, the creature ]ias doubtless his peculiar 

 characteristic and his haunt in the deep waters, — sources, 

 too, of enjoyment — nay more, his sphere of usefulness, and 

 forms a link in the great chain of nature. 



Many interesting facts have, on the contrary, transpired 

 respecting the genus CeritJiinm, of which the species are very 

 numerous, and inhabit all climates within the mean tem- 

 perature of the Mediterranean ; in a fossil state, they are 

 still more abundant, and afford much research for the 

 geologist. 



The Cerithium nohile, a mag-nificent and rare specimen, 

 is selected by Mr. Keeve for illustration in his ^ Elements 

 of Conchology.^ 



The genus is of a somewhat anomalous character, and 

 very dissimilar are the habits of its different members. 

 Some inhabit the sea, others are found in rivers ; the former 

 constitute a numerous portion of heavy and solid growtli. 



