6$ Conchology. 



faculties suited to the supply of its wants, and to the situation 

 which it is destined to occupy. Or in the more harmonious 

 periods of the poet, we would say, 



' Each shell, each crawling insect holds a rank 

 Important, in the plan of Hiin who framed 

 This scale of beings.' 



But we are not disposed to rest the claims of the science 

 of conchology to public favor, altogether on the grounds which 

 we have now stated. As objects of utility toman, shells de- 

 serve our notice. Many species supply his table with agree- 

 able and nutritious dishes ; others form most enticing baits 

 for catching fishes, or furnish materials for the manufacture of 

 different kinds of dress. The pearl is prized as an ornament, 

 and the Tyrian purple is deservedly held in estimation. 



We must view shells likewise as the enemies of man, and 

 entitled to his consideration. Some are deleterious to his 

 constitution, while others defeat his plans. The barnacle, by 

 adhering to the bottoms of ships, impedes their motion; and 

 the teredo pierces their planks and destroys them. 



When these circumstances are duly considered, the science 

 of conchology will appear of importance, as it unfolds the 

 history of objects of beauty, curiosity and utility. 



Of late years, the study of conchology has been pursued 

 with eagerness by the most eminent naturalists. Under these 

 auspices, the science has assumed a consistent and regular 

 form. And the Boudoir of the accomplished female would 

 be considered as unfurnished, were it not decorated with these 

 favorite objects of admiration. Indeed, in this respect, man- 

 kind have discovered no small degree of folly and extrava- 

 gance, in the high price which has been given for rare and 

 beautiful shells, and often only on account of their rarity. 



The few scattered fragments concerning the natural history 

 of shells, or testaceous animals, which are to be found in the 

 writings of the ancients, when compared with the more extend- 

 ed and systematic labors of the moderns, are so unimportant 

 and inaccurate, that it would be altogether superfluous to 

 trouble our readers with an account of the information which 

 they contain. It appears however from the works of Aristotle 

 and Pliny, the great naturalists of Greece and Rome, that the 

 study of conchology was not entirely neglected in their time. 

 It appears, too, that admirers and collectors of shells were not 

 then wanting. Scipio and Laelius, we are informed, found a 

 relaxation from the toils and care of war and governmen*^ by 

 indulging in this elegant amusement. 



