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 itis 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 these 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.’ 
Lanpb-SuHE tts, for the most part, are to be found creeping 
sbroad, either in the evening, or after a gentle shower of rain. 
During the heat of the day they retire to shaded retreats, un- 
