A NATURALIST. 53 



various figures to suit particular purposes, and gov- 

 erned 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 micro- 

 scope, 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 act- 

 ing but transparent heart, all excite admiration and 

 gratify our curiosity. The puzzling question often 

 presents itself to the inquirer : Why so much elabo- 

 rateness of construction and such exquisite ornament 

 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 orna- 

 ment 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 insido of the shell is covered by 

 the membrane called the mantle. Similar remarks 

 may be made relative to conchology at large : the 

 most exquisitely beautiful forms, colours, and orna- 

 ments are lavished upon genera and species which 

 exist only at immense depths in the ocean, or buried 

 in the mud; nor can any one form a satisfactory idea 



