198 INTrxODUCTIO^^ TO CONCHOLOGY. 



garded with no little superstition. He vvas believed to exude 

 both a poisonous scent and liquid,, and even the sagacious 

 Plinj has recorded supposititious properties which it is un- 

 necessary to repeat. Hence both fishermen and naturalists 

 equally avoided the watery haunts of the Sea-hare^ beau- 

 tiful though they were, and verging on classic shores, where 

 the Nereids were fabled to resort. 



The shell of the Bolabella is internal and calcareous, 

 generally covered with a horny integument, and in shape 

 somewhat resembhng a hatchet : the posterior side is narrow, 

 thicker, slightly spiral, and a little reflected over at the 

 edge ; the anterior side is smooth, wider, and entire at the 

 margin. 



But why, it may be asked, is this particular description 

 of shell-fish wliich apparently have neither beauty nor 

 utility ? l^or an obvious reason ; namely, that the singu- 

 larity of their structure may awaken a desire to become 

 acquainted with its appropriation. True it is, that obscure 

 shell-fish, when cast upon our shores and whitening in the 

 sunbeams, are seldom sought for or regarded with any 

 degree of interest. Yet is not this negligence somewhat 

 reprehensible, — a putting away from ourselves sources of 

 refined enjoyment which the Creator of the Universe has 



