104 SHELLS. 



in a large vessel of water saturated with alum, there to re- 

 main eight or ten days ; after which, it must be extended on 

 half rounded pieces of wood, and thinned with a sharp knife, 

 which is facilitated by the projections of the wood, enabling 

 the operator the more easily to cut it, while it is gradually 

 shifted, till the whole has been pretty equally thinned. When 

 this operation is completed, it is allowed to soak in water with 

 an equal quantity of that saturated with the alum. Twenty- 

 four hours will be sufficient. It must then be placed on the 

 artificial body, as directed for the Elephant, at page 21. 



In hunting for snakes, great caution must be exercised, as it 

 is well known that the bite of some of these proves fatal 

 within a quarter of an hour, particularly that of the Rattle- 

 snake and some others. Indeed, it would be more prudent 

 to allow the natives to hunt for these poisonous reptiles, as 

 they are better acquainted with their haunts, and the means of 

 defence to be employed in this dangerous pursuit. They are 

 also better acquainted with those which are poisonous. We 

 may, however, remark, that the poisonous Snakes have, in gen- 

 eral, much larger heads than those which are harmless, and 

 their necks are also narrow. 



SHELLS. 



Shells, on account of the elegance and variety of their forms, 

 and beauty of their colours, are objects much sought after, not 

 only by naturalists, but also by most persons who are unac- 

 quainted with science. There is no species, particularly in 

 remote climes, which does not deserve to be brought home : 

 the things most common in those countries being frequently 

 the most rare in ours. Shells are found on every part of the 

 surface of the globe. Some are inhabitants of the land, while 

 others only frequent rivers, lakes, ponds, and ditches ; and 

 another and more numerous class live in the ocean. Land- 

 shells are spread over the whole surface of the earth, and al- 

 though more accessible, are perhaps less known than those 

 which inhabit the ' mighty deep.' 



LAND- SHELLS, for the most part, are to be found creeping 

 abroad, either in the evening, or after a gentle shower of rain. 

 During the heat of the day they retire to shaded retreats, un- 



