13 



CHAPTER II. 



ON COLLECTING AND PRESERVING SHELLS. 



"TTTE know but little of the creatures which live 

 V V at the bottom of the deep sea, and only a few 

 persons have an opportunity to dredge in the 

 more shallow waters. Most of us must be con- 

 tent to search that narrow strip of shore which is 

 daily left bare by the^ebbing tide. But this ground 

 will yield us many pleasant surprises if we work 

 it carefully. To extend our field of observation 

 as far as possible, we should take advantage of 

 the lowest tides, such as come in the early morn- 

 ing. A pair of long rubber boots, and a good 

 staff with a hook at one end are valuable assist- 

 ants. A sharp lookout should always be kept 

 for the waves, for many sad accidents have 

 happened to those w T ho have ventured too far to- 

 wards the breakers, or have remained too long in 

 dangerous clefts and caves. 



The collector should follow the retreating tide 

 as far as convenient, and carefully notice all the 

 hiding places of the shy mollusks. Loose stones 

 should be turned over and searched, Of course, 

 innumerable crabs will scamper off sidewise and 

 make an ominous rustling, but they will do no 

 harm. Pools left by the tide often contain val- 



