In the very earliest times, long before there was any attempt at the
scientific classification and arrangement of shells, they appear to
have been objects of admiration, and to have been valued on account of
their beauty, for we find that the pre-historic men, who, in company
with the mammoth, or hairy elephant, and other animals now extinct,
inhabited Southern France in days long gone by, used to bore holes in
them, and, like the savage of to-day, wear them as ornaments. The
Greek physician and philosopher, Aristotle, is said to have been the
first to study the formation of shells, and to raise the knowledge
thus acquired into the position of a science; by him shells were
divided into three orders--an arrangement preserved, with some small
changes, by Linnaeus. It is possible that the world-wide renown of the
Swedish naturalist during the last century, and the ardour with which
he pursued his investigations, may have given an impetus to the study
of natural objects, for we find that at that period large sums were
often given by collectors for choice specimens of shells. Nor is this
to be wondered at, for few things look nicer, or better repay trouble
expended on them, than does a well-arranged and carefully mounted and
named collection of shells. Certainly nothing looks worse than a
number of shells of all descriptions, of every kind, shape, and
colour, thrown promiscuously into a box, like the unfortunate animals
in a toy Noah's ark, to the great detriment of their value and beauty;
for, as the inevitable result of shaking against each other, the
natural polish is taken off some, the delicate points and ornaments
are broken off others, the whole collection becoming in time unsightly
and disappointing, and all for want of a little care at the outset.
In this, as in every other undertaking, "how to set about it" is the
chief difficulty with beginners; and here, perhaps, a few hints
gathered from experience may not be without value. One thing a young
collector should always bear in mind, however, is, that no
instructions can be of any avail to him unless, for his part, he is
prepared to bring patience, neatness, and attention to detail, to bear
upon his work.
Since it is important to know the best way of storing specimens
already acquired, we will, in the first place, devote a few words to
this point, and then proceed to describe the best means of collecting
specimens, and of naming, mounting, and arranging the same.