202 CONCHOLOGIST’S COMPANION. 
the aid of which, it excludes the rough beating of a 
boisterous sea,—who enables the third to fold itself 
in a coat of mail resembling a perforated pebble, and 
thus, to elude the vigilance of its marine foes; has 
determined the bounds of our habitations. We have, 
also, dwelt at large on the dissimilar abodes of the 
Bivalve race, and the singularity of their construc- 
tion ; and while thus engaged, our hearts have glowed 
within us, to think how wonderfully the meanest 
creature is provided for the situation it is designed 
to fill. Nor have the exquisite, and varied, tints, 
which distinguish the beautiful family of Univalve, 
been disregarded; and as often have they brought 
to mind the goodness of their Creator, in drawing us 
by the wonders which he has made, to consider, that 
his tender mercies are over all his works. 
Shells and flowers, ‘especially, bring home these 
feelings to my heart. They are often so small, so 
beautiful, so helpless, and yet so wonderfully made, 
that their safety is as well provided for, as that of 
the great globe, on which we are now speeding with 
its myriads of inhabitants, amid suns, and systems, 
through the immensity of space. 
«« There are feelings of all that is sweet and mild, 
Dreams that are pure as the dreams of a child ; 
Many an innocent holy thought, 
By gazing on them, to my bosom brought. 
