306 INTRODUCTION TO CONCHOLOGY. 



■'' One room contains them, and the partners dwell 

 Beneath the convex of one sloping shell ; 

 Deep in the watery vast the comrades rove, 

 And mutual interest binds their constant love : 

 That wiser friend the lucky juncture tells, 

 ^Vhen in the circuit of his gaping shells 

 rish wand'ring enter ; then the bearded guide 

 "Warns the dull mate, and pricks his tender side. 

 He knows the hint, nor at the treatment grieves,. 

 But hugs the advantage, and the pain forgives : 

 His closing shell the Pinna sudden joins. 

 And 'twixt the pressing sides his prey confines ; 

 Thus fed by mutual aid, the friendly pair 

 Divide their gains, and in the i)lunder shai-e." — Oppian. 



Modern discoveries liave withdrawn this fact from among 

 the fables of ancient days ; and it is curious to observe how, 

 in some cases, the study of nature gradually dispels the 

 consecrated delusions of ages, and reduces to the level of 

 ordinary facts what time had invested with all the characters 

 of the supernatural; in others the correctness of statements 

 hitherto considered fabulous, or highly embellished by poetic 

 fanc}', are proved by modern naturahsts. 



Surely it is impossible to contemplate the history of the 

 Puma withjont mingled emotions of surprise and pleasure. 

 The conchologist may view it merely with a reference to his 

 favomite pui'suit ; but the Christian philosopher regards it 



