Transcriber Notes
Text emphasis is displayed as _Italics_.
RUDIMENTS
OF
CONCHOLOGY;
WITH
EXPLANATORY PLATES.
[Illustration: Rudiments of Conchology.]
RUDIMENTS
OF
CONCHOLOGY:
INTENDED AS A
FAMILIAR INTRODUCTION TO THE SCIENCE.
WITH
EXPLANATORY PLATES,
AND
REFERENCES TO THE COLLECTION OF SHELLS IN
THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
BY THE AUTHOR OF
"THE GEOGRAPHICAL PRESENT," &c.
[Illustration: A new and improved Edition.]
LONDON:
DARTON AND HARVEY,
GRACECHURCH STREET.
1837.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY JOSEPH RICKERBY,
SHERBOURN LANE.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The Compiler of the following pages has derived the greater part of the
information contained in them from "The Conchology of Lamarck," from
"Burrows's Elements of Conchology," and other introductory treatises.
In the present Edition of this little Work many alterations and
additions have been made, with the hope of rendering it more useful to
the young student.
ERRATA.
[Note: Corrections were applied.]
Page 3, _for_ Plate 1, _read_ Plate 2.
Page 16, line 8, _for_ squamosa, _read_, squamosus.
Page 20, _for_ candidas, _read_ candida; and _for_ Plate 3,
_read_ Plate 2.
Page 25, _for_ Plates 4 and 5, _read_ Plates 3 and 5; and
_for_ gædaropus, _read_ gæderopus.
Page 27, _for_ epiphippium _read_ ephippium.
Page 35, line 12, _delete_ not.
Page 36, line 14, _read_ Plate 2.
Page 42, _read_ Bruguieres; and _for_ Pollicepes, _read_ Pollicipes.
Page 64, line 3, _read_ Parmophorus--line 6, _read_ Plate 3.
Page 68, line 5 from bottom, _read_ Carocolla.
Page 76, line 6, _for_ Valvata _read_ Voluta.
Page 90, line 4, _read_ anglicanum.
RUDIMENTS
OF
CONCHOLOGY.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
"A box full of shells!" said Charles to his sister Lucy, who was
looking over her treasures with great attention. "What can you want so
many little shells for?"
"This box and its contents are the gifts of my cousin Jane," replied
Lucy: "she said that I might have her whole collection, if I could find
any pleasure in looking at shells without knowing anything about them.
But I am not _quite_ ignorant of the subject."
"Shells are pretty enough," said Charles; "but how troublesome to
distinguish the differences between each kind! I like plants better
than shells."
[Sidenote: MULTIVALVES, BIVALVES, UNIVALVES.]
"Probably because you are better acquainted with plants," observed his
father, Mr. Elliot, who had just entered the room: "however, the great
naturalist, to whom you are indebted for your knowledge of plants, did
not consider shells as objects beneath his attention."
"You mean Linnæus," said Lucy; "then he, I suppose, separated shells
into the three different divisions--_Multivalves_, _Bivalves_, and
_Univalves_."
"You are right, Lucy," replied her father.
"Pray show me some bivalve shells," said Charles; "I want to know their
forms. A _bivalve_ is a shell with two openings, as I should imagine:
yes, I see that I am right, for you have given me an oyster and a
cockle."
"Here are also _Venus_, _Tellìna_, _Donax_, _Arca_, and _Pinna_,"
observed Mr. Elliot, "all very easy to distinguish."
"'The anchor'd pinna and his cancer friend,'"
repeated Charles. "So the _Pinna_ is a bivalve; but what has _Venus_ to
do with the matter?"
"That is very easy to understand," said Lucy: "the genus called by her
name is remarkable for beauty."
"Now, Charles," said Mr. Elliot, "do you clearly comprehend the verse
that you have just repeated?"
[Sidenote: THE PINNA AND THE CANCER.]
"I have heard that the _Pinna_ is a shell-fish, attended by a _crab_,
'his cancer friend;' but why it is called _anchor'd_ I do not know, but
_cancer_ is Latin for crab."
"Here is a species of _Pinna_," said his father, opening a cabinet;
"and these silken threads are the means by which it fastens itself
to the rocks. The animal is provided with a long foot, with which it
draws out the threads, or _byssus_. The _Pinna_ is sometimes called the
silk-worm of the sea. Lucy, do you know a univalve shell?"
"Oh yes, many!" replied Lucy, "here are rock-shells, cowries, limpets,
and cones. I know the difference between a cowry and a cone; but I am
not yet acquainted with a multivalve shell--will you show me one?"
"_Chiton_, or coat of mail, is a good example," said Mr. Elliot;
"_Pholas_ is another genus of the same division; it has the appearance
of a bivalve. In the _Chiton_ are several _lamina_, or plates, which
are connected by a membrane while the living animal is in the shell;
the membrane is pliant, and the inhabitant has the power of contracting
itself into a ball, when it would avoid injury, like the insect
millepes, that we find under stones in damp places. (Plate 2.)
The curious barnacle-shell, _Lepas_, is another multivalve." (Plate
1.)
"I think we cannot have a more agreeable pursuit for our leisure
hours," said Lucy, "than the study of shells. One can bring them out
or remove them so easily, that they can cause little inconvenience,
which garden-pots often do in town; and then the plants are almost sure
to die, whatever care I take of them."
[Sidenote: LAMARCK'S SYSTEM.]
"Collections of shells are frequently to be seen in London," said
Mr. Elliot, "which are intended for sale. There are now many places
where shells are sold at moderate prices, and young collectors like
yourselves can easily avail themselves of the means thus afforded, to
obtain even a single specimen. While we remain in town you may visit
the British Museum, and become familiar with the rare species of each
genus, of which there are many costly specimens. The arrangement
adopted for that collection is Lamarck's. You will find the work of
this celebrated naturalist on my shelves; it is entitled, '_Histoire
Naturelle des Animaux sans Vertèbres_.' The three last volumes contain
the Conchology."
"It is in French and Latin!" exclaimed Lucy, as she opened a volume.
"Why do you both look so serious?" asked their father. "Are you not
students in those useful languages? To what purpose do you learn a
language if it be not with a view to reading the works of learned men,
whose labours have opened a wide field of knowledge?"
[Illustration: Plate 1.]
[Sidenote: USE OF THE LATIN LANGUAGE.]
"But so many works on science are written in Latin," said Lucy.
"Linnæus, however, has been translated, I know; and as for _British_
botany, we have our own authors in my own dear language."
"The Latin language being universally studied by men of science, it
has become the medium of communication between the learned of most
countries," observed Mr. Elliot. "I should consider a young person of
your age, Lucy, very ignorant who could not read and understand the
general style of Lamarck with the occasional aid of the dictionary."
"Do not be discouraged, brother," said Lucy, "my father will assist
us: remember how frequently he helps us with our lessons now, provided
we do our best. I am resolved to obtain some knowledge of shells this
winter."
"A very good resolution," said Mr. Elliot; "and I predict that your
usual delight on revisiting our favourite country dwelling will be
somewhat increased next spring."
"Because I shall carry down my little collection with the pleasure of
knowing more than I did last year."
"Our own coasts, rivers, and ponds afford a variety of shells. The
hedge-banks, heaths, and other places, possess their inhabitants."
[Sidenote: PLEASURE OF SEARCHING FOR SHELLS.]
"Oh," exclaimed Lucy, "I quite forgot the very pretty snails I have
so often admired on the heath on a dewy morning: why, we may learn
conchology in the open fields as well as botany!"
"Well, then," replied Mr. Elliot, "to-morrow we will apply ourselves
to the needful instruction. I must, however, remind you that I do not
approve of any animal's life being taken away in order to obtain its
habitation. Empty shells are to be found, which will serve perfectly
well for specimens; and should the colour not be so bright as you could
wish, you will have the delightful consciousness that your amusements
have been free from cruelty, and that you have not destroyed the life
of any living, harmless creature, in the pursuit of pleasure. Indeed
there is as much or more gratification in searching among the rocks,
or digging into the sea-sand, with a view to watch the animal in its
natural place, as in possessing its empty shell: and who knows what
grand discoveries you may both make!
"But I must leave you now--be ready for me after our usual
dinner-hour."