THE WORLD'S LUMBER ROOM. 



Paris in 

 cutting ca- 

 meos, which 

 are mounted 

 as brooches in 

 Birmingham. 

 The largest existing 

 shell is that of the 

 Tridacna, having two 

 '" valves, some specimens of 

 which measure five feet across 

 and weigh 500 Ibs. The South Sea 

 Islanders use them for collecting rain 

 water, but they were formerly so rare in 

 Europe that the Republic of Venice 

 thought one valuable enough to be presented to Francis I., 

 who gave it to the Church of St. Sulpice, where it may still be 



Fig. 25. THE GIANT 

 OYSTER FROM SIN- 

 GAPORE. 



