56 On the Economical Uses of some species of Testacea. 



mals, and birds, and plants from every part of the world — from the 

 most contrary climates, and yet all thriving. The quail and the 

 turkey from this country, the guinea-fowl from the burning plains of 

 Africa, the peacock from Asia, and still more lately the kangaroo 

 and emeu from New South Wales ;* and what is to prevent shells 

 living and breeding in an element by far less subject to change in 

 temperature than the air. The Osirece. and Pectines in particular 

 might, we feel sure, be successfully transplanted, if proper care were 

 taken, f 



To guess at the causes why this has not been done, were futile ; 

 but we may suggest, that it is perhaps owing to the very general 

 ignorance on the subject, the employment of fishermen being in- 

 ferior and ill paid, and the variations of the ocean throwing difficul- 

 ties in the way greater than in the introduction of animals and birds 

 on land. The descriptions of the shells have not been arranged 

 systematically : but they stand according to their general interest, or 

 their artificial connection one with another. It has also been thought 

 best to omit all scientific descriptions, as most of the species are well 

 known, and are to be met with in all books on Conchology. 



The Linnean nomenclature has, with a few exceptions, been fol- 

 lowed. 



I. Mytilus margaritiferus, (Linn.) — The Pearl Oyster. 



Of all the Testacea, this species is the most valuable, the best 

 known, and enters the most largely into the arts. It not only pro- 



* The following are the foreign animals domesticated in England. The origi- 

 nal habitats (with the exception of the two last) are given on the authority of 

 Jen3^ns, in his Manual of British vertebrate-animals. From Europe, Cervus 

 Dama, Peraix rubra, Cygnus Olor, CyiJrinus Carpio, Esox Lucius (?) From 

 Asia, Mus decumanus, Equus Caballus, E. Asinus, Phasianus Colchis. From 

 Africa, Mustela Euro, Eelis maniculata, Numida Meleagris. Anas JEgypticus, 

 Cygnus Guineensis. From North America, Meleagris Gallapavo, Perdix Vir- 

 ginictna, Cygnus Ccmadensis. From South America, Cavia Cohaya. From 

 India, Pavo cristatus, Gallus domesticus, G. lanatus, <^c. From China, Phasia- 

 nus torquatus, Cyprinusauratus. From Australia, Halmaturus giganteus, (111.) 

 Rhea Nova-Hollandice. 



1- In Loudon's Magazine of Natural Histor}^ Vol. IX. pp. 572 — 574, mention is 

 made of two shells which have naturalized themselves in Great Britain. The 

 one is the Mytilus polymorphus, (Pallas,) supposed to have been introduced into 

 the Thames on timber, and now spread through England and Scotland. The 

 other is the Mytilus crenatus, (Linn.) which must have been brought from Bombay 

 on the bottom of a ship, and has now firmly established itself, in company with 

 the M. edulis, in Portsmputh harbor. 



