BIVALVES. 



Acephalous Mollusks, witli Bivalve Shells^ is tlio 

 name given by moderii naturalists to tlie class of 

 animals of wliich vre liave now to speak ; tlie only- 

 one of these terms wliicli will require explanation is 

 the first ; ifc comes from the Greek, and means 

 headless, so an Accphalan is a molluscous animal 

 Tvithout a head, as 



TnE OYSTER, 



Which may be considered as the King of Bivalves; 

 his palace, to be sure, is somewhat rough and 

 rugged outside, but within, its walls are smooth and 

 polished, lustrous and iridescent, and altogether 

 beautiful; of a nacrous or pearly appearance, now 

 flushing into a rose tint, now fading into a pure 

 white, and adorned sometimes with goodly pearls 

 of price ; truly this monarch of the Conchifers has a 

 habitation worthy of a prince, wherein he lives in 

 right royal state. Our readers may smile, perhaps^ 



