13 
CHAPTER II. 
ON COLLECTING AND PRESERVING SHELLS. 
"ITT E know but little of the creatures which live 
V V at the bottom of the deep sea, and only a few 
persons have an opportunity to dredge in the 
more shallow waters. Mosc of us must be con- 
tent to search that narrow strip of shore which is 
daily left bare by thebbbing tide. But this ground 
will yield us many pleasant surprises if we work 
it carefully. To extend our field of observation 
as far as possible, we should take advantage of 
the lowest tides, such as come in the early morn- 
ing. A pair of long rubber boots, and a good 
staff with a hook at one end are valuable assist- 
ants. A sharp lookout should always he kept 
for the waves , for many sad accidents have 
happened to those who have ventured too far to- 
wards the breakers, or have remained too long in 
dangerous clefts and caves. 
The collector should follow the retreating tide 
as far as convenient, and carefully notice all the 
hiding places of the shy mollusks. Loose stones 
should be turned over and searched. Of course, 
innumerable crabs will scamper off sidewise and 
make an ominous rustling, but they will do no 
harm. Pools left by the tide often contain val- 
