Mollnsks. 85 



sel, which, notwithstanding their stony shells, fall an 

 easy prey to him, will never cease to wonder at the 

 adaptations of means to ends among these apparently 

 unfortunate and imperfect members of the animal 

 kingdom. Each member of this group might be 

 selected as a special study and important link in 

 our proof; but it is enough for our present purpose 

 to see that here there has been no less care and no 

 less wisdom manifested in creation than among the 

 higher tril 



The next grand division in the animal kingdom is 

 the mollusk or shell-fish. The most careless obser- 

 ver is struck with the variety and beauty in color, 

 form, and finish, exhibited in a cabinet of shells. 

 But the shells, beautiful as they are, and full of 

 instruction as they are to the careful observer, are 

 still but the mere outward coverings, and are no 

 more to be compared with the animals that secreted 

 them than the case of a watch is to the perfect com- 

 bination of wheels and springs which it incloses. 

 We are almost necessarily compelled here to depart 

 somewhat from our prescribed course, for it is by a 

 multitude of special adaptations that this grand 

 division is fitted for the varied condition and mode 

 of life so noticeable among its different members. 

 What different forms of shells may be found upon a 

 single beach ; and for every form of shell there is a 

 distinct animal structure and mode of life ! But for 

 each one shall be found as perfect adaptation in its 

 structure and instincts, as though that were the 

 only shell-fish in existence. They maybe so unlike, 



