252 SHELLS. 



far off. "WTien collected, bring them home and 

 put them in a pail, or some other large vessel, 

 and pour a quantity of cold water over them; 

 then cover up the vessel for two or three hours, 

 which will cause the animals to come out a little 

 (it is necessary to cover them up, or else they 

 will crawl away) : when they are a little out, 

 draw off the water, and pour a quantity of 

 boiling water on them, so as to cover them well : 

 let them remain a few minutes to cool a little ; 

 then take out the animals with a large pin or 

 needle, as you would a periwinkle : when they 

 are all done, take a soft brush and wash off 

 gently all the dirt and filth from them, and place 

 them in anothrr vessel of fresh water until all 

 are clean ; then shake out well the water that 

 is in them, and place them out to dry, with 

 their mouths downwards, but not in the sun : 

 when dry, if they are small, pack them away in 

 small boxes, writing on the cover the locality 

 and situation in which found. Should the shells 

 be rather large, then wrap each shell in a paper 



