BIVALVES. 



Acephalous Mollusks, with Bivalve Shells, is the 

 name given by modern naturalists to the class of 

 animals of which we have now to speak ; the only 

 one of these terms which will require explanation is 

 the first; it comes from the Greek, and means 

 headless, so an Acephalan is a molluscous animal 

 without a head, as 



THE OYSTER, 



Which may be considered as the King of Bivalves ; 

 his palace, to be sure, is somewhat rough and 

 rugged outside, but within, its walls are smooth and 

 polished, lustrous and iridescent, and altogether 

 beautiful; of a nacrous or pearly appearance, now 

 flushing into a rose tint, now fading into a pure 

 white, and adorned sometimes with goodly pearls 

 of price ; truly this monarch of the Conchifers has a 

 habitation worthy of a prince, wherein he lives in 

 right royal state. Our readers may smile, perhaps, 



