270 ON COLLECTING SHELLS. 



I propose to follow in this work a classification which does not 

 differ very essentially^ from that most approved before the advent 

 of the ling-ual system, but with certain ameliorations which the 

 latter has enabled us to perceive for the first time. It is not 

 denied that this arrangement is exceedingly artificial — all are 

 so ; but it is believed to be the most obvious, therefore, the 

 easiest. It may again be remarked here, that one of the inherent 

 difficulties of arrangement in a lineal line is caused by inter-rela- 

 tionships ; thus, I have chosen to proceed from Murex to Pupura, 

 then to Fusus and to Buccinum ; yet the two latter groups are 

 equally related to Murex and with one another, and the passage 

 from one group to another is so gradual that the assignment of 

 some of the out-l^dng forms to a genus is very difficult. 



ON COLLECTING SHELLS. 



Search for living mollusks is based upon knowledge of the 

 habits of these animals. We call ntations the particuilar circum- 

 stances surrounding the specimens collected, whilst habitat com- 

 prehends the geographical distribution of each species. 



Marine Mollusks. " When the tide is at the lowest, the col- 

 lector should wade among the rocks and pools near the shore, 

 and search under overhanging ledges of rock as far as his arms 

 can reach. An iron rake, with long close-set teeth, will be a useful 

 implement on such occasions. He should turn over all loose 

 stones and growing sea-weeds, taking care to protect his hands 

 with gloves, and his feet with shoes and stockings, against the 

 sharp spines of Echini, the back-fins of sting-fishes, and the 

 stings of Medusse. In detaching chitons and limpets, which are 

 all to be sought for on rocky coasts, the spatula or case-knife 

 will prove a valuable assistant. Those who have paid particular 

 attention to preserving chitons have found it necessary to suffer 

 them to die under pressure between two boards. Ormers (Halio- 

 tides) may be removed from the rocks to which they adhere by 

 throwing a little warm water over them, and then giving them 

 a sharp push with the foot sideways, when mere violence would 

 be of no avail without injuring the shell. Rolled madrepores 

 and loose fragments of rock should be turned over ; cowries and 

 other shell-fish frequently harbor under them. Numbers of 

 shell-fish are generally to be found about coral-reefs." — { Broderip. ) 

 In coral regions the services of natives should be obtained, as 

 they may render much assistance by diving or wading. 



Advantage may be taken of spring-tides, especially at the 

 equinoxes, to examine lower tracts of sea-shore than are ordi- 

 narily accessible. After severe storms the shores and beaches 

 are frequently covered with species of mollusks and other marine 



