80 Proceedings 
reasons, Again, there was a period, now almost gone by, when 
the rarity of the shells in his cabinet, and their consequent money- 
producing power, was the chief concern of every collector, for 
all the world as though they were like so many gloomy old pic- 
tures or wax busts or postage stamps. The history of this extra- 
ordinary phase of the collecting instinct might well provoke a 
learned pen; but for to-night I do not consider it a legitimate 
developement of Conchology, I leave with you the thought that 
although the snail is in himself an insignificant beast, yet he and 
his congeners bear in their insides and in their shells the inter- 
pretation, as yet not fully read, of many problems which are 
daily vexing the hearts of men, both wise and foolish. 
