AVICULACE^. 269 



only an obvious reference to their necessities, but are often 

 extremely beautified ; and that the latter, independent of 

 the former consideration, or, indeed, of any other with 

 which we are acquainted, is evidently designed by their 

 Creator to embellish the dwelling-place of man. 



Thoughts suggested by the sublimity or minuteness of 

 creation "should expand our theology,'"' as Dr. Chalmers 

 well observed, "and lead us to contemplate our Heavenly 

 Father in the wonders and works of creation, as well as 

 in the economy of grace. Let us participate with the 

 Psalmist in admiring the beauties and characteristics of the 

 grand visible panorama around us, consisting of the earth 

 in the fulness of its riches, and of the sea with a zoology 

 of its own/" 



Family III. Aviculacea. 



It may not be 



That aught more perfect than the globe of light 

 Is found on earth, nor yet beneath the waters. 



The shell of the family Aviculacea may be described as 

 irregular, thin, fibro-laminal, and sometimes foliated on the 

 outside. The hinge is edentulate, having a strong liga- 

 ment inserted in one or more variously-shaped pits, and the 



