LXXVII 



These specimens show us another great law of nature. 

 Dissimilar as they are, all their differences lay in simple 

 modifications of a simple type or plan. Beginning with 

 Vitrina there is a loose transparent whorl of organized 

 lime to protect the viscera of the mollusk. Through the 

 flattened Helices to the turretted Achatina this whorl is 

 twisted more or less closely, sculptured or plain, tinted or 

 blanched, elevated or depressed, but in all cases repro- 

 ducing the original plan in its structure. The animal ex- 

 hibited the same fact. Animal and shell must be studied 

 together. Here we begin to realize with what economy 

 the Divine Wisdom worked. Out of a few simple sub- 

 stances and by touches of change almost microscopic in 

 their minuteness the living vesture of the globe is made 

 so various in its beauty and exhaustless in its forms. 



The study of the anatomy of these mollusks is ren- 

 dered somewhat difficult by the softness of their bodies. 

 The most wonderful organ is the tongue or lingual 

 membrane, — a rasp by which the creature secures its food. 

 Each tooth of this rasp seems formed of the clearest 

 glass. In some species there are over two thousand of 

 these teeth upon the lingual organs. Under the micro- 

 scope and especially by polarized light they form beautiful 

 objects for examination. Mr. E. S. Morse, to whom the 

 Natural History of Maine owes so much, has studied this 

 matter scientifically and with fine results. 



In short — Nature at our side everywhere offers us the 

 choicest encouragement, whatever our particular tastes. 

 The land repeats the wonders of the sea, and any associa- 

 tion, like the Essex Institute, to study the lessons of both, 

 is an association for mutual enjoyment, education and re- 

 finement in the knowledge of the great Creator. 



The donations to the Library and Museum, received 

 since the last meeting, were announced. 



Charles Babbidge, of Salem, was elected a Resident 

 Member. 



