PREFACE. 



The changing greens of the ocean, the wim- 

 ple of its waters when at peace, abide among 

 the pleasantest memories of my early childhood. 

 Glimpses into the sea, as pictured by Fouque, 

 still have fascinations surpassing fact or fiction 

 of these later days. 



This little book is published ^^^th the hope 

 that it may lead to a fuller study of some of 

 the most interesting and most beautiful crea- 

 tions in Nature. Books upon marine shells, 

 either not too expensive or too learned for com- 

 mon use, are few ; hence it is hoped that this 

 little volume may help to awaken an interest 

 in the sea and its treasures, which can but grow 

 with the years and afford an ever- widening and 

 deepening source of delight and of profit. 



Pearls let slip from their broken string, led 

 — in the story — to the hidden casket. So may 



