24 Beautiful Shells. 



THE CABINET, 



which may be either large or small, plain or hand- 

 some, in accordance with the means of the collec- 

 tor. Perhaps for a beginner just a nest of shallow 

 drawers in a deal or other case may be quite 

 sufficient; these drawers should be divided into 

 compartments, on the front side of each of which 

 should be pasted a neatly- written label, with the 

 common and scientific name of the species of shell 

 contained in it, together with brief mention of the 

 date when, and the place where, it was taken ; and 

 any observations relating to it which can be com- 

 prised in a few words, and may seem to the 

 collector of sufficient interest to warrant their 

 insertion. This would be a good beginning; by 

 and by, when the collection is large, the knowledge 

 more ample, and the outlay can be spared, it will 

 be time to think of something ornamental- 

 mahogany and glass, and carved or inlaid work, such 

 a Cabinet as would properly display and enhance 

 the beauties of your testaceous treasures, which 

 are too often stowed away, with other natural 

 curiosities, in a very disorderly, higgledy-piggledy 

 sort of manner, like the collection described by 

 Dryden — 



