4 PREFACE. 



appropriate. It is the author's hope that this little volume 

 may give to many children a better knowledge of the life of 

 mollusks than they would be apt to obtain otherwise, and 

 that even dead and dry shells may awaken trains of thought, 

 and restore, as it were, the life of the creatures which once 

 inhabited them. 



The mollusks which live on the land and in fresh water 

 have been mentioned, since very many children will have a 

 chance to study these, who can seldom or never visit the sea- 

 shore. The later chapters of the book are devoted largely to 

 the other forms of sea-life which a visitor to the beach would 

 be most likely to meet. It is hoped that this may make the 

 book useful, in some degree, as a kind of guide to those who 

 are not familiar with the abundant forms of life, some of 

 which they will be sure to encounter. 



But few Latin names are given in the text, though they are 

 not to be feared, and children may easily become accustomed 

 to them; they seem, however, more appropriate in the List 

 of Figures, which should be freely consulted. A few simple 

 directions concerning the collection and preservation of speci- 

 mens have been added, in the belief that they might some- 

 times prove useful. 



Acknowledgments are especially due to Miss LAURA M. 

 MELLEN for drawings of shells, and to Miss ALICE B. TABOR 

 for the initial letters and most of the other drawings in the 

 book; also to MESSRS. J. K. OLIVER and C. BARLOW for pho- 

 tographs of marine scenery. 



In conclusion, it is hoped that this volume may take a 

 prominent place in that instructive series of readers which 

 is giving to the children of this Coast such choice and fresh 

 themes. 



JOSIAH KEEP. 



MILLS COLLEGE, CALIFORNIA, February 6, 1901. 



