VI INTRODUCTION. 



sliell-fisli can be at ouce deteraimed by the peculiar conformatiaa 

 and markings of the shell. 



The relative portions of animal and earthy, or rather chalky 

 matter, wliich compose these shells, varies cousiderabh' in difilTent 

 kinds; in those called Crystalline or Porcellaneous, the animal 

 (lv»posit is much Ic.-s than in the granular or concretionary sliells, 

 where it not only constitutes a large part of the whole substance, 

 but is more dens3, that is thick, and also has the appearance of 

 being membraneous, or organized matter, AYe can perhaps best 

 explain this by saying tiiat whei*eas tlie diflerent chalky layers of 

 the crystalline shell seem merely glued together by the intervening 

 animal fluid; those of tlie granular shell, as the oyster, appear to be 

 coimected by interlacing membranes. But all this my readers will 

 learn more about from more advanced and scientific works if they 

 ]iroeeed, as I trust they Mill do, in the study of Conciiology, a 

 science which has in a givater or less degree attracted the atten- 

 tion of curious and contemplative minds in all ages, and the study 

 of which it has been well said is peculiarly adapted to recreate 

 the senses, and insensibly to lead us to the contemplation of the 

 glory of God in creation. 



BEAUTY ASD YALUE OF SHELLS. 



In sliells, as in al> the works of the Almighty Creator, we may 

 observe an infinite variety of form, and if they do not all strike 

 us as alike gracel\il, yet in each, however plain and simple, there 

 is some peculiar beauty, whetlier it be the mere hollow cup, or 

 the simple tube, the smooth or twisted cone, the slender spire, 

 the convoluted oval, or half circle, ribbed or spiked, -with a lip 

 curving out like the leaf of a water lily, or a narrow rim, like 

 that of a golden chalice; they are indeed elegant, each perfect of 

 its kind, and bearing the impress of a constructive skill far above 

 that of man, vrho copies from them some of the most graceful 

 and elegant designs wherewith to ornament his buildings, and shapes 

 in which to fashion his articles of luxury or utility. 



The most beautiful scroll-work of marble chimney-pieces, cornices 

 of rooms, and other enriched portions of both public and private 

 structures, are those in which the forms of shells have been taken 

 for the patterns of the artistic designs; and how tasteful and 

 appropriate is tiie employment of tlie shells themselves as orna- 

 ments for the mantle-piece, side-board, and chilfonniere. Then too, 



"The rainbow-tinted shell, -which lies 

 Miles deep at bottom of the sea, hath uU 

 C'c»lours of skies, and flowere, and goins, and plants." 



