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but rather a soft white mass. After heavy rains or big 

 freshets these shells may be found in great numbers, 

 both large and small. Some are joined together and 

 look quite pretty, but most of them are single and part- 

 ly broken. The outside is brown and somewhat rough; 

 the inside is very smooth and presents a beautiful pearl 

 appearance. 



In connection with the mussel is the clan, which 

 species is larger, and the shell roundish, of the bivalve 

 order. These are white and very thick and hard, and 

 are caught in oyster localities, and are often found 

 among oysters in the markets. By close observation 

 of the stream a number of small black shells may be 

 seen, of various shapes, though mostly of a conical or 

 spiral form. Their structure is very frail, and they are 

 easily broken. These are the houses of the water snail 

 which is very common. The ground is often strewn 

 with these shells and the mussels; those described and 

 others of the same form and character form the divis- 

 ion known as mollusks or soft shelled animals. 



Oysters are caught in large numbers in the Delaware 

 Bay and vicinity. Their life and habits are interesting 

 and curious. The lowest forms of animal life are in- 

 teresting and wonderful. 



The crab also attracts our attention. It lives in 

 small ponds and streams, and is a curious little creature 

 Avith six legs and two arms or jaws which are used in 

 offence and defence. They capture their prey, and hold 

 and devour it by means of these instruments, and the 

 person offering to touch them is very liable to receive 

 a smart pinch. Fresh water crabs are small, but the 

 hermit crab and others are larger. This species live in 



