72 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION, 



positive proof ihat Conchologists were quite mistaken in limiting its 

 range to the Indo-Pacific. On investigation it was clearly proved 

 the specimens formed part of the cargo of a vessel which had been 

 wrecked there a few years before the Professor's wonderful discovery. 



For educational purposes the author pf " The Manual of the 

 Mollusca " recommends the types of the respective families. As a 

 further recommendation he could have added they can be obtained 

 at a moderate price also. In a note he states the Cypnva Uinbilicata 

 (Tasmania) sold for ^30 in 1850 ; it may be had now for $6. 



The Orange Cowry (worn as a badge of a Chieftain in the 

 Friendly Islands) was formerly difficult to obtain and very expensive. 

 It may be so yet. On looking over dealers' lists from the United 

 States I cannot find even a specimen in stock for sale. In arrang- 

 ing a cabinet, some Conchologists think it better to show in pairs 

 the back and aperture of each species. It seems unnecessary as 

 regards either Volutes or Cones ; but in some cases, wliere the 

 Cowries for instance, possess a peculiar orifice, as in the Ovnlum 

 and Cyprcea pyruvi (Gmel), Algiers, it may be as well to display the 

 coral lips also of the latter. In many succeeding fam'lies the sug- 

 gestion meets with general approval. 



Conchology appears to be particularly suitable for ladies. The 

 collections of Mesdames Carey, Charlton and Beasley are here in 

 evidence regarding taste in this direction, and it would be difficult 

 to find shells in better preservation than some of the specimens 

 exhibited in our cases, and their superiority may be attributed to 

 personal selection. I fear, however, many are deterred by the 

 nomenclature from taking greater interest in Malacology (study of 

 shell-fish) by the Latin terms so hard to remember. The difficulty 

 is not so considerable as it is imagined. Respectable dealers attach 

 to each specimen the name and locality. Even if you possess a 

 shell whose name is unknown or forgotten, that may be ascertained 

 generally by a visit to a Museum. Few of us can tell names of 

 species off" hand without reference to writings and figures regarding 

 them. The types of each family are few in number and can be had 

 at a trifling cost. These are the keys to the science. 



THE iMURICES (rOCK SHELLS). 



In the back corner of the case, near the entrance, of which 



