364 INTRODUCTION TO CONCHOLOGY. 



belong to one genus, and tlie exquisite variety tliat diver- 

 sifies the same pattern, you will be able to understand 

 somewhat of the deep feeling which a lover of nature thus 

 expresses : — My path leads towards the sea, and I stand 

 musing on the fii'm beach ; a few moments pass, and gently 

 heaving billows deposit their tributes at my feet ; — tributes 

 from the ocean, to one, whose Elder Erother, the heir of 

 all things, has restrained their further progress, and as such 

 I welcome them. Ah ! those tributes are exceeding beautiful 

 — exquisitely-tinted sea-weeds, and shells of surpassing forms 

 and hues. They speak to me ; and their words, unlike those 

 of the stars and thunder, breathe only of peace and love. 

 They remind me of our Lord, who, when walking through 

 the fields of Palestine, bade his disciples look upon the fra- 

 grant flowers, and Hsten to the song of birds, and trust in 

 the loving-kindness of Him who careth for them. 



Family XVII. Pholadaria. 



^Te know not wliat tliou art. 

 Nor what thy use, poor moUusk. Humble thou, 

 Loving to hide, in wood, or rock, or stone ; 

 Yet wondrous is thy form — adapted well 

 To all thy parts, but most thy shelly home. 



The family Tlioladariaj though closely allied to the 



