12 Beautiful Shells, 



for tlie extraordinary fact tLat the stony exudations 

 of testaceous animals condense only on those parts 

 where they are essential to their welfare. But here 

 investigation ends — the microscope has done its 

 office. It seems as if material nature delighted to 

 baffle the wisdom of her sons, and to say to the 

 proud assertors of the sufficiency of human reason 

 for comprehending the mysteries of creation and of 

 Providence, thus far you can go, and no farther ; 

 even in the formation of a shell, or its insignificant 

 inhabitant, your arrogant pretensions are completely 

 humbled.' '' 



USES OF SHELLS. 



In speaking of shells as ornaments, and objects 

 worthy of our study and admiration, wo have already 

 mentioned some of their uses, for surely that which. 

 contributes to the intellectual improvement and 

 innocent pleasure of mankind, is in its degree 

 useful. But on the more narrow ground of utihty, 

 shells may also claim a high place in our estimation. 

 To man in a barbarous and uncivilized state, they 

 furnish the means of performing some of the most 

 important operations of daily life, being extensively 

 used as a substitute for iron. The savage frequently 

 forms his knife, his hunting spear, and his fish-hook 



