XXXV111 INTRODUCTION. 



On collecting, and cleaning Shells. 



It happens very frequently, that persons who 

 collect shells for their friends, in foreign countries, 

 though they do it with the best intention, yet, for 

 want of a sufficient knowledge of the subject, are 

 apt to pick up many that are either imperfect, or of 

 little or no value, and to pack them so carelessly, 

 that, by the time they reach England, very few of 

 them remain entire. For the instruction of such as 

 may not be conversant in collecting, I would re- 

 commend them always, if possible, to procure what 

 are termed live shells, that is, with the animal in them ; 

 this is only to be done by using a drag net, or after 

 violent storms, when live shells are often torn from 

 the deep, and thrown upon the sea-shore. When 

 they have been exposed for some time on the beach, 

 they get injured by friction, and their colours fade 

 in the sun. In this state, they are known among 

 collectors by the name of dead shells, and are only 

 to be taken, when better cannot be procured. 



It is sometimes difficult to detach the animals, 

 particularly of Univalves, entirely from their shells. 



