MANNER OF COLLECTING ANIMALS. 87 



only by naturalists but also by most persons who arc unac- 

 quainted with science. There is no species, particularly in remote 

 climes, which does not deserve to be brought home, the things 

 most common in those countries being frequently the most rare 

 in ours. Shells are found on every part of the surface of the 

 globe Some are inhabitants of the land, while others only 

 frequent rivers, lakes, ponds, and ditches ; and another and more 

 numerous class live in the ocean. Land-shells are spread over 

 the whole surface of the earth, and although more accessible, are 

 perhaps less known than those which inhabit the "mighty deep." 



Land-Shells, for the most part, arc to be found creeping 

 abroad either in the evening or after a gentle shower of rain. 

 During the heat of the day they retire to shaded retreats, un- 

 der thick bushes, the crevices of rocks, the hollows of decayed 

 trees, or under their bark ; beneath stones, amongst moss, or in 

 holes in the ground. A little experience will teach the naturalist 

 readily to find their retreats. 



Fresh Water Shells must be sought for, if in deep lakes, 

 with a dredge, or if in shallow places, with a tin spoon fixed on 

 the end of a stick. This is made of a circular piece of tin four 

 inches and a half in diameter, beat concave, and then perforated 

 with numerous small holes, not exceeding the sixteenth part 

 ofaninchin diameter; around this must be soldered a perpen- 

 dicular rim, three-quarters of an inch broad, and also perforated 

 with holes. To this must be attached a hollow tubular handle 

 three inches long, for the insertion of a walking-stick. It must 

 have a few holes towards its outer end for passing a string through, 

 to tie it firmly, and prevent it being lost. With this spoon the 

 collector must rake along the mud at the bottom of ditches or 

 ponds, and after bringing a quantity to the surface, he must wash 

 the mud entirely away, by shaking the spoon on the top of the 

 water, and it will all pass through the holes and leave the shells. 

 The sharp edge of the spoon is also useful in detaching aquatic 

 shells from the under surface of the leaves of water-plants. 



The large Swan-Muscle (Anadonta Cygned), and other Anadons, 

 generally lie deep in the mud, so that they cannot be procured 

 by dredging. I found it necessary to invent a net to fish for 

 these. This consisted of an iron triangle of twelve inches, with 

 a hollow handle fixed on its base, and in this is inserted a pole of 



