siderable thickness, we may infer that it was a minute form fully developed and not a young shell.

The ravine below the "Albion Mills" is another locality near Hamilton to which I would call attention. I have not been there for many years, but the Lingulæ are of much interest. In many instances the thin outer valves are retained, but they are white or colorless, even in layers corresponding in position with the colored Lingulæ beds near the Reservoir.

The Burton shales resting on the chert beds here (although very fossiliferous) hold few specimens of Phosphatic shells. The Lingulæ (three species) are in good preservation, usually retaining both valves, which are black or horny. They appear to be confined to the lower beds; however, only in a few places are the upper ones exposed, so it is possible they may have hitherto escaped detection.

I am unable to state what induced Professor Morse, during the course of his experiments, to arrive at the conclusion that the living Lingula was a "specialized worm." It may seem perfectly natural to an evolutionist for an Annelid that found itself exposed to the attacks of enemies in the rear to evolve some shelly protection for the part exposed. Perhaps, in the words of Voltaire, "the first step was the only difficulty." A friend of mine suggested a different solution, but I doubt whether it can be seriously entertained by any naturalist, viz. : that the worm may have accidentally introduced the extreme end of its tail into the open valves of the Mollusc, and that the latter indignantly resented the intrusion by closing the doors of its habitation on its unwelcome visitor, and then, to use the words of "Ingoldsby," slightly altered

"In vain did it strain every muscle

The valves held it fast

From that hour 'til the last

It could never get rid of its comfortless bustle.”

How the Mollusc or worm transmitted to its posterity the marked characteristics of both combined I am unable to say. In the larval stage, Lingula, it is said, closely resemble the larva of an Annelid; this two-fold nature of early organisms has frequently been noticed by naturalists.

The mystery of life, however, remains an unsolved problem to

science.

No satisfactory evidence has ever been adduced to show that dead matter of itself can give birth to living organisms.

As regards the fossilized remains now before us, which were embedded in the sediment of ancient seas-that they existed as living things can scarcely be disputed. In the words of a recent writer :

"Once they were not,

And now they are not,

And this is the sum we know."

BRIEF NOTES ON THE LAND AND FRESH WATER SHELLS OF THIS DISTRICT, SUPPLEMENTED BY GENERAL NOTES ON CONCHOLOGY, GATH

ERED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES,

Read before the Biological Section of the Hamilton Association, April 5th, 1889.

BY A. W. HANHAM.

Little more than a year ago I received a letter from England from one greatly interested in Land and Fresh Water Shells, asking me to keep any that might come in my way, the writer being anxious to secure representatives from this part of the world. I wrote back that I would do the best I could, but remarked at the same time, that I did not expect to get a great variety, and, that the shells, alluding especially to the land shells, would not compare in size and beauty with some species that were common in England. These remarks showed how little I really knew about the shells which were to be taken here I do not profess to know much more now. No land shells yet found by me here will compare with English species in markings or bright colours, but a few walks abroad soon brought to light things not noticed before during a residence of some seven years in Canada, and, seeing that during all these years I have been exploring the woods and country in general in search of Entomological specimens, it goes to show how blind it is possible to be.

In taking up anything new I find it is absolutely necessary to find the eyes, so to speak, before the eyes are in a fit state to aid one in the study or undertaking. To make more clear my meaning;-for various reasons of late years I have confined my collecting almost entirely to the Coleoptera; now a large proportion of beetles are found only on or in the soil, under leaves, logs and debris, and as far as I can now see, the best spots or localities for these beetles are also the best for many species of land shells, but, till lately, I never used to see the shells. This remark applies also to aquatic species.

Conchology has its advantages over Entomology; for instance,

you turn over a log for specimens, and, unless the air is frosty, every live thing present, that has legs or wings, uses them to seek safer quarters some are sure to get away--but any shells, dead or alive, may be gathered without any unseemly haste and speedily transferred to bottle or box. Of course, it is possible to overlook some, which often agree exactly in colour with their surroundings, and which, if they did move, would be easily seen. Others, again, are easily overlooked owing to their small size and a habit they have of hiding away in the crevices of logs, or in any inequalities that may be present.

Land shells inhabit nearly every country of the globe. They are found in woods, gardens, and hedges-the last named unfortunately conspicuous by their absence here;-I speak from a Conchologist's point of view, for they make splendid retreats for snails.

Where they take up their abode in the hollows of trees and stumps, under bark, in crevices of rocks, under stones, amongst moss, nettles or other weeds, especially in damp places, or adhere to boughs and leaves of trees, shrubs, &c., it is during the day that they retire to these situations, and in the evening they are to be met with crawling about; also sometimes during the day when the weather is moist and rainy.

Fresh water shells are to be met with in almost every lake, pond, river and stream, either lurking in the mud at the bottom, or feeding on leaves of aquatic plants, or along the shores or banks. Some species, which burrow deep in the mud, as Anodonta and Melantho, have to be dredged for, and others may be found by raking along the surface of the sand and mud at the bottom of ditches and ponds. Shells can only be expected perfect when they are got with the animal in them. Fine specimens of water shells may be found on the beach, or shores of our lakes, after a storm, but should they be thrown up out of the reach of the water, they are exposed to the continued heat of the sun, by which their colours become faded. A large proportion of the shells seen in collections have been picked up on the beach, and are seldom very perfect, being either worn or broken. River and land shells are mostly thinner than those of the sea, though there are exceptions to this rule. Some land shells are very beautifully coloured or marked, and elegant in their form, especially those found in tropical climates. In Africa they

grow to an amazing size, and would be very unwelcome guests in our flower and kitchen gardens, as they commit great havoc among the esculent plants. You will better realize this fact when I state that one species, Archatina Zebra, is very frequently found measuring seven inches from apex to base of shell.

When shells are found with the animal alive in them, boiling water should be poured upon them. The animal may then be easily taken from bivalves, but caution is required with the univalves, as should part of it be left in the volutions, it will be almost impossible to extract it, and to prevent the shell from becoming offensive it would be necessary to leave it for a considerable time in alcohol, where too long an immersion might change the colour of the shell somewhat. I have also heard the use of salt mentioned as a means for killing the occupants of land shells, but have not tried the process myself. Shells of any size should be oiled, not varnished, to preserve the natural color and to keep the epidermis from cracking. Worn and old shells may be restored almost to their original beauty by this means.

The Rev. Geo. W. Taylor, now of Billings Bridge, near Ottawa, lately of Victoria, B. C., has very kindly named all the shells I took last season, and some I have already added to my list this year. Mr. Taylor is also an Entomologist of some standing. In one of his letters to me, he says:-"I have collected for some years on the "Pacific Coast, and am now collecting here, so that your shells from "an intermediate station are very interesting to me. The number "of Canadian land and fresh water shells known to me is as follows: "fresh-water bivalves, 72 species; fresh-water univalves (operculate) '13 species (non-operculate) 45 species; land shells, 82 species-total No doubt many additions will yet be made, and your posi"tion is an especially favorable one." In another letter he remarks: "your collection is interesting, but I notice it is deficient in the "small land shells. Look carefully under leaves, amongst ruins, in "woods and under logs everywhere, and you will find lots of treasures. Take a long series of fresh water shells from every piece of "water you come to, and I have no doubt you will add to the Can"adian list." Again he says:-"land shells can be named without "much trouble, but fresh water shells are much more difficult to deter

"212.