How to Know Shells 



The great collections of this country are at the Smithsonian 

 Institution in Washington, the Academy of Sciences in Philadel- 

 phia and the American Museum of Natural History of the City 

 of New York. Chicago has a fine collection in its Academy of 

 Sciences. Other cities are building up similar exhibits. Colleges 

 and universities, public libraries and local museums house many 

 private collections displayed where the public may use and enjoy 

 them. In connection with the great museums scientists are 

 devoting their lives to research. 



Children and others interested in shells should pay occasional 

 visits to some great collection. Conchologists of world-wide fame 

 are very kindly people, eager to help beginners by identifying a 

 perplexing specimen, or by helpful suggestions. Such experiences 

 are enlightening and impressive, and leave very pleasant memories. 



After such a visit we come home to our own with new pleasure. 

 We take out the prettiest shells, finger their glossy, curving spires, 

 and delight in their rich harmonies of colouring. We almost love 

 them for their changeless beauty. What must it be like to gaze 

 over a boat's side at the wonderful coral groves where such shells 

 are seen alive! Shall we have the good luck to go some day to 

 Jamaica, or to the Philippines, where live the most beautiful 

 land shells in the world ? Or to the East Indian or Panama 

 beaches, with their wonderful marine forms? 



Pending the decision of these fascinating questions, let us 

 take a look into the aquarium where the pond snail hangs, shell 

 downward, calmly grazing the green scum from the top in an 

 irregular swath. In the snailery the hungry ones have found 

 our offering of lettuce leaves. Outside, along the garden path, 

 in the cool stillness of the summer twilight. 



Stoop to watch the tube-eyed snail 

 Creep o'er his long, moon-glittering trail. 



The life story of the most wonderful of tropical mollusks is 

 not more interesting than that of the humblest snail that takes 

 toll of our vegetable garden. 



