2 LESSON I. 



Teacher. Of what use do you suppose shells 

 to be? 



Child. They must be a defence and protec- 

 tion to the animals which they cover. 



Teacher. Yes : shells are the hard coverings 

 of certain animals called mollusca, or mollusks ; 

 a name derived from mol Us, soft ; and esca,flesh ; 

 if you call to mind the animals enclosed in these 

 cases, you will not fail to observe how appli- 

 cable this term is to them. Give me some exam- 

 ple to prove that this name is well chosen. 



Child. The snail has a very soft fleshy body. 



Teacher. Yes, arid the mollusks in this res- 

 pect are all alike. I have brought you some to 

 examine; look at them well, and try and dis- 

 cover the characteristics which distinguish them 

 from other animals. Here are a snail, an oys- 

 ter, a muscle, and a slug. 



Child. We shall not be able to say much 

 about such animals as these, they are so shape- 

 less and uninteresting in their appearance. 



Teacher. Do not form so hasty a judgment. 

 T hope soon to convince you that it is your igno- 

 rance alone which causes you to view them with 

 indifference. There is not any part of the 

 creation which you can study, that will not 

 repay you for your labour ; and when you be- 

 come better acquainted with the different king- 

 doms of nature, you will experience an increased 

 pleasure in your walks; and objects that you have 

 hitherto passed heedlessly by, will rivet your 

 attention by the wonders they unfold to you ; 



