34 LESSON VI. 



that so wonderfully directs these little animals 

 in their self- preservation ? 



Child. It is very surprising certainly, that 

 such a worm should have the power of remedying 

 so great disasters. But could not God have 

 enabled them to form their shell at first too 

 strong to be liable to imjuries, or else have 

 placed them out of the reach of danger ? 



Teacher. Doubtless God could have done 

 either. But all creation, as it is now constituted, 

 reads us the lesson which we ought never to 

 forget, that the work which was pronounced 

 *' good," when it first came from the Almighty's 

 hand, has been marred, Every where we trace 

 the consequences of the fall all nature in its 

 tendency to decay, shews the sentence of death 

 passed upon it, yet it bears even in its fallen 

 state, the impress of divine love and mercy. 

 Now examine again the shells before you, and 

 try and discover where any of them have been 

 repaired. 



Child. Several appear patched. 



Teacher. These patches mark where some 

 hole has been covered over. 



Child. But here are some shells which have 

 regular seams, 



Teacher. These seams indicate where the 

 animal, in consequence of its own growth made 

 an addition to its residence. Observe this shell. 

 (Bucinum flammium) Can you not trace the 

 gradual extension of the shell from a very small 

 size? 



