GROWTH OF SHELLS. I59 



" After all that lias been said the mystery 

 remains. The delicate tracery upon the olives, 

 the mottled surfaces of the Oyprwa, are myste- 

 ries still, and even this remains unaccounted 

 for," she added, taking a JSferita from the shelf. 

 " This tooth, like a point of ruby upon the col- 

 umella, is a pretty secret which we can not ex- 

 plain. This little jeweled point has given the 

 name of ' bleeding tooth ' to the shell. We 

 can not resist the wish that we might be near 

 enough to Mother Natxire's heart to be taken 

 into her counsels. We would like to know 

 how and why she gave the little Xerita this 

 single red jewel. There are many things we 

 would like to know." 



