CONCHOLOGY. 



our most solid Mountains (a lasting evidence of the general 

 Deluge) hold out to the Naturalist a pleasing and inter- 

 esting Field for Enquiry. Their Forms are so different to 

 those found recent; their beautiful State of Preservation, the 

 curious circumstance of their Enclosure in Beds of Rock or 

 Clay, lay a claim to farther Enquiry and Investigation. 



It is our intention to profit by these Remarks, and to 

 bring forward from time to time the most singular and rare 

 Species which may offer themselves to our observation. 



The greatest number or portion of Shells at present 

 known revolve spirally from the left to the right ; but the 

 Genera Helix, Melania, and Buiimus, are a remarkable 

 exception to this rule, having a great many species which 

 are reversed, still however even in this respect, varying 

 sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left. The 

 Diogenes Crab frequently for the purpose of safety and 

 security, takes up his habitation in the deserted shell of 

 some Whelk or JVIurex, and by this means furnishes a 

 curious instance of natural instinct; from this time, one 

 of his prehensile claws becomes gradually much larger 

 than the other; that which is enclosed in the cover- 

 ing, shrinks up, and becomes useless, thus adapting itself 

 admirably to it's newly-acquired situation. The Argonau- 

 ta by the use of it's oars and sad, has particularly at- 

 tracted the regard, even of the most ancient writers, 

 and is supposed to have furnished the first idea of a ship. 

 Different in it's internal structure is the form of the 

 Nautilus, which has a regular assortment of chambered 

 compartments, connected with each other, and which are 

 entirely occupied by the animal. In short, the facts and 

 observations which Conchology brings to our view, open 

 to the mind, new scenes of continual admiration of that 

 great Being, who has so wonderfully adapted their singular 

 forms and instincts to the situations in which they are placed. 



