CHAPTER III. 



THE SHELL-BUILDERS. 



\ 



" See what a lovely shell, 

 Small and fine as a pearl ! 



Frail, but of force to withstand, 

 Year upon year, the shock 

 Of cataract seas that snap 

 The three-decker's oaken spine 

 Athwart the ledges of rock." 



TENNYSON. 



I THINK that every visitor to the seaside must, at 

 one time or another, have been attracted by some 

 daintily tinted shell left stranded by a retreating wave, 

 all glistening and iridescent with the salt spray, and 

 reflecting endless rainbow tints. Captivating by its 

 pretty colours, the shell was probably picked up, and 

 for a time kept as a memento of a pleasant summer 

 holiday by the sea. Now I would ask you to come 

 with me for a ramble along the shore in search of fresh 

 specimens ; or let me draw your attention to a few from 

 my cabinet, that we may consider them in quite a 

 different aspect, not merely as pretty objects, part and 

 parcel of the flotsam and jetsam of the shore, but each 

 as a house beautiful a house perfect in its design to 



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