AND THEIR INHABITANTS. IQI 



CHAPTER VIII. 



OUR AQUATIC MOLLUSCA, SPH^ERIUM, PISIDIUM, UNIO, 

 PEARL MUSSEL, ANODONTA, DREISSENA, NERITINA, 

 PALUDINA, VALVATA, PLANORBIS, LIMNEA. 



THE fresh-water bivalves of Great Britain compared 

 with marine shells and animals, those of our rivers, 

 lakes, and ponds, are not showy in colour, and to 

 many persons are much less attractive ; yet they 

 need only to be minutely examined and their habits 

 studied to convince the intelligent observer, even if 

 he be no naturalist, that, like all natural objects, they 

 abound in beauty and interest, and richly reward 

 those who have time and patience to devote to their 

 study. 



A great advantage attaches to this pursuit, as it would 

 be difficult to find any locality in the country where 

 it may not be carried on with more or less success. 

 Every spot is at no great distance from some stream, 

 canal, or pond, even if nothing worthy of the name 

 of river or lake be within walking distance. The 

 despised weedy horse-pond may contain some treasures 

 for the beginner, new to him at least, if not to his 

 neighbour or friend, the old collector of specimens. 

 This applies forcibly to those young persons who are 

 brought up in the country, and whose love for fishing 



