UNIVALVES. 149 
sails expanded to the wind, and extending two oar- 
shaped tentaculze for the purpose of rowing his fragile 
bark; thus steering his course without chart or com- 
pass, self-taught in the art of navigation; and at 
once both vessel and pilot. 
‘« No star has he to guide his way, 
Or Tyrian cynosure.” 
Yet still he sails along, regardless of adverse winds, 
and undeterred by the perils of the deep, apparently 
conscious that he contains within his shell all the 
necessary requisites for navigation; rudders, sails, 
oars, and cordage. In short, a vessel which no 
human hand has formed, and guided by no human 
skill; a striking proof, amid the terrors and the 
wonders of the deep, that whilst nothing is too great 
for the controlling power of Omnipotence, nothing 
is too humble for his protecting care. 
The human mind, even when unassisted by the 
light of revelation, could arrive at this conclusion, so 
wonderful and consolatory: and hence not only the 
trees that covered the earth, and the fruits and flowers 
that grew beneath them ; nay, even the most curious 
shell-fish which the waves had placed upon the shore 
were supposed under the control of, and peculiarly 
favoured by some presiding Deity. Thus, while in 
Syria, the Buccinum was anciently dedicated to 
