A NATURALIST. 5 1 



tore ; the foot, or organ by which the shell is moved for- 

 ward through the mud or water, composed of an expanded 

 spongy extremity, capable of assuming various figures to 

 suit particular purposes, and governed by several strong 

 muscles that move it in different directions ; the ovaries, 

 filled with myriads, not of eggs, but of perfect shells, or 

 complete little animals, which, though not larger than 

 the point of a fine needle, yet when examined by the mi- 

 croscope, exhibit all the peculiarities of conformation that 

 belong to the parent; the mouth, embraced by the nervous 

 ganglion, which may be considered as the animal's brain; 

 the stomach, surrounded by the various processes of the 

 liver, and the strongly acting, but transparent heart, all 

 excite admiration and gratify our curiosity. The puzzling 

 question often presents itself to the enquirer, why so much 

 elaborateness of construction, and such exquisite orna- 

 ment as are common to most of these creatures, should 

 be bestowed ? Destined to pass their lives in and under 

 the mud, possessed of no sense that we are acquainted 

 with, except that of touch, what purpose can ornament 

 serve in them ? However much of vanity there may be 

 in asking the question, there is no answer to be offered. 

 We cannot suppose that the individuals have any power 

 of admiring each other, and we know that the foot is the 

 only part they protrude from their shell, and that the in- 

 side of the shell is covered by the membrane called the 

 mantle. Similar remarks may be made relative to conch- 

 ology at large: the most exquisitely beautiful forms, 



