14 



SKETCHES OF CREATION. 



waifs has a different degree of convexity from the other 

 (Fig. 2), while with mussels both valves are equally con- 



Fig. 1. Fossil bivalve from 

 Trenton Falls ; side view 

 of ventral valve, a. The 

 &quot;beak.&quot; 



Fig. 2. Edge view of the 

 two valves, showing 

 their unequal convex 

 ity and depth. 



Fig. 3. Common River Mussel. View of left 

 valve, a. The &quot;beak.&quot; 



vex (Fig. 4). In fact, the more we study these things, the 

 less they look like mussel-shells the less they look like 

 any thing else with which we are acquainted. I have 



heard men familiarly 

 call these objects by 

 the name of &quot;clam 

 shells;&quot; and others 

 they call &quot;snails;&quot; and 

 still other curious struc 

 tures, frequently en 

 countered in cultivated 

 fields, they designate as &quot; petrified honey-comb&quot; and &quot; pet 

 rified wasps -nests.&quot; But a few moments careful observa 

 tion suffices to show 

 that these things differ 

 materially from the ob 

 jects whose names have 

 been bestowed upon 

 them. 



It seems unreasonable to suppose, therefore, that these 

 shell-like forms have ever belonged to living animals. 

 They are probably but &quot; mere freaks of nature.&quot; Perhaps 

 they have been produced by &quot; the influences of the stars.&quot; 



Fi. 4. View of &quot; hinge line&quot; of the same, show 



ves. 



ig. 4. View of &quot; hinge line&quot; of the same, 

 ing the equal convexity of the two val 



