SHELL FISH, ETC. 75 



muriatic acid and water, applied with the point of a quill, and 

 then plunged into water, and allowed to remain till the acid is 

 quite extracted. But on no account whatever, attempt to eradi- 

 cate these parasitic bodies by means of acid, or acid and water alone, 

 as the chances are that the shell will be completely destroyed by 

 their application. We have seen many fine and valuable shells 

 destroyed by an injudicious^ application of acids — they should 

 never be used when it can possibly be avoided. We have, on the 

 other hand, seen shells which were so completely enveloped in 

 calcareous crust, that it was impossible to trace their external 

 surface, most thoroughly cleared of all this, without being touched 

 at all by acids, the whole being removed by a small knife or 

 other sharp instrument ; and these, in many cases, having long 

 and tender spines externally. 



Nothing can be more monstrous than the application of pumie- 

 stone, which some recommend, for polishing shells ; as is also 

 the use of tripoli, rotten-stone, and imry. Neither do we approve 

 the application of varnishes, as such shells never have their 

 natural lustre. 



If a shell is found dead upon the beach it is probable that it 

 will have undergone a certain degree of decomposition, that is, it 

 will have parted with part of its animal matter, and consequently 

 the colors will have faded and the surface present a chalky 

 appearance. To remove this take a small proportion of Florence 

 oil and apply it to the surface, when the colors, which were 

 invisible, will appear. When completely saturated with oil let 

 the shell be rubbed dry and placed in a cabinet. Oil may also be 

 applied after acid has been used, and it will be found extremely 

 useful, when applied to dry the epidermis, which it will prevent 

 from cracking or quitting the shell entirely, which it frequently 

 does. 



Whether Marine Shells are procured in a living or dead state, 

 a very necessary precaution is to immerse them in pure tepid 

 water after the animal has been extracted, and allow them to 

 continue in it for an hour or two so as completely to extract any 

 salt or acid which may be in them. 



Fresh water Shells are liable to a calcareous or earthy incrusta- 

 tion, which must be removed by immersing them in warm water, 

 and afterwards scraping and brushing them with a nail or tooth- 



