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OF POLISHING SHELLS. 69 
approve the application of varnishes, as such shells nevet 
have their natural lustre. 
If ashell has been found dead upon the beach, it is probable 
that it will have undergone a certain degree of decomposition, 
that is, it will have parted with part of its animal matter, and 
consequently the colours will have faded, and the surface pre- 
sent a chalky appearance. To remove this, take a small | 
proportion of Florence oil, and apply it to the surface, when 
the colours which were invisible will appear. When com- 
pletely saturated with oil, let the shell be rubbed dry, and 
placed in a cabinet. Oil may also be applied, after acid has 
been used ; and it will be found extremely useful, when applied 
to dry the epidermis, which it will prevent from cracking, 
or quitting the shell entirely, which it frequently does. 
Whether Marine Shells are procured in a living or dead | 
| state,a very necessary precaution is to immerse them in pure 
| tepid water, after the animal has been extracted, and allew 
them to continue in it for an hour or two, so as completely to 
extract any salt or acid which may be in them. 
|  Fresh-water Shells are liable to a calcareous or earthy in- | 
crustation, which must be removed by immersing them in warm 
water, and afterwards scraping and brushing them with a nail 
or tooth-brush. Much nicety is necessary in cleaning these, 
as their great thinness renders them in general liable to be 
_ broken. A little Florence oil will improve the appearance of 
| the epidermis, and render it less liable to crack. 
Land Shells seldom require any cleaning, except washing 
_ in water, as they are not liable to incrustations of any kind. 
When shells are perforated by marine animals, or otherwise 
broken; if the specimen is rare, it is desirable to remedy these 
defects, as far as possible. They may be therefore filled up, 
or pieces added to them with the cement, which may be coloured, 
when dry, to imitate its original state. 
OF POLISHING SHELLS, 
Many species of Marine and Fresh-water Shells are com- 
posed of mother-of-pearl, generally covered with a strong 
epidermis. When it is wished to exhibit the external structure 
of the shells, the epidermis is removed, and the outer testaceous 
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