104 NOTES. 



The following observations are extracted from the Catechism of 

 Conchology, they refer to a custom which the author is anxious 

 to notice with decided disapprobation : 



" Let nothing induce you to adopt the savage, the barbarous 

 custom of putting live shell fish into cold water, and allowing 

 them to boil over the fire, as the means of killing and then ex- 

 tracting them. Throwing the shells into boiling hot water ans- 

 wers the purpose equally as well, aud it appears that the life of 

 the animal is immediately extinguished, whereas, a different 

 mode iuflicts a slow excruciating death upon those innocent un- 

 offending creatures. I would also urge you to recommend the 

 same mode to shell collectors, pointing out to them, the excessive 

 and wanton barbarity of the method in general use. I would 

 even go farther, and refuse to purchase any shells the inhabitants 

 of which had been subjected to similar torture. I once knew a 

 lady of the Buxton family, whose benevolent exertions entirely 

 did away the cruel custom of pegging live lobsters, which for- 

 merly subsisted on the western coast. If ladies and gentlemen 

 would act with similar firmness, they would often have in their 

 power to do much good, and not a little to diminish the aggregate 

 of national crime, and, consequently, of national cruelty." 



Oh ! ye mothers ! what are you to society ! the tracing of 

 your influence is without bounds — you have, generally, the form- 

 ing of the character, and if you were rightly concerned to guard 

 your children against the exercise of cruelty — if you would teach 

 them to be the protectors rather than the tormentors of animals, 

 over which they have any power — how much suffering might you 

 prevent — and how much happiness, by self approving reflection, 

 treasure up for yourselves and children. The author is desirous 

 to conclude these notes with an extract, 6cc. 



