2ij THE ELEMENTS 



Base is the opposite extremity from 

 the apex, or tip of the spire. In shells 

 with a beak or rostrum, it implies the 

 tip of such beak; plate 2nd, fig. 11th, 

 B. In shells without a beak, it is 

 understood to be the lower part, as 

 before-mentioned, opposite the apex; 

 plate 2nd, figures 8th and 9th, B B. 

 In the patella dentalium and teredo, 

 and some others, the base of the shell 

 is that part on which it rests when it 

 is laid on its mouth. 



Body of the shell. The first or lower 

 whorl of the spire, which is, in gene- 

 ral, longer than the remaining whorls ; 

 and often, the difference is much 

 greater. Plate 2nd, figures 10th and 

 12th, FF; and plate 3d, figures 7th 

 and 9th, FF. 



Front of the shell, is when the aper- 

 ture faces the observer. Plate 2nd, 

 fig. 7th, /; and plate 3d, fig. 8th, /. 

 ; Back is when the aperture is turned 



