Part 1

THE CONCHOLOGIST’S FIRST BOOK: A SYSTEM OF TESTACEOUS MALACOLOGY, Arranged expressly for the use of Schools, IN WHICH THE ANIMALS, ACCORDING TO CUVIER, ARE GIVEN WITH THE SHELLS, A GREAT NUMBER OF NEW SPECIES ADDED, AND THE WHOLE BROUGHT UP, AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE, TO THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE SCIENCE.

BY EDGAR A. POE.

SECOND EDITION.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN SHELLS, PRESENTING A CORRECT TYPE OF EACH GENUS.

PHILADELPHIA:

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY HASWELL, BARRINGTON, AND HASWELL, AND FOR SALE BY THE PRINCIPAL BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED STATES.

1840.

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1839, by EDGAR A. POE, in the clerk’s office for the eastern district of Pennsylvania.

Printed by Haswell, Barrington, and Haswell.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

The term “_Malacology_,” an abbreviation of “_Malacozoology_,” from the Greek μαλακος, _soft_, ζωον, _an animal_, and λογος, _a discourse_, was first employed by the French naturalist De Blainville to designate an important division of Natural History, in which the leading feature of the animals discussed was the _softness_ of the flesh, or, to speak with greater accuracy, of the general envelop. This division comprehends not only the _Mollusca_, but also the _Testacea_ of Aristotle and of Pliny, and, of course, had reference to molluscous animals in general—of which the greater portion have shells.

A treatise concerning the shells, exclusively, of this greater portion, is termed, in accordance with general usage, a Treatise upon Conchology or Conchyliology; although the word is somewhat improperly applied, as the Greek _conchylion_, from which it is derived, embraces in its signification both the animal and shell. Ostracology would have been more definite.

The common works upon this subject, however, will appear to every person of science very essentially defective, inasmuch as the _relation_ of the animal and shell, with their dependence upon each other, is a radically important consideration in the examination of either. Neither, in the attempt to obviate this difficulty, is a work upon Malacology at large necessarily included. Shells, it is true, form, and, for many obvious reasons, will continue to form, the subject of chief interest, whether with regard to the school or the cabinet; still there is no good reason why a book upon _Conchology_ (using the common term) may not be malacological as far as it proceeds.

In this view of the subject the present little work is offered to the public. Beyond the ruling feature—that of giving an anatomical account of each animal, together with a description of the shell which it inhabits,—I have aimed at little more than accuracy and simplicity, as far as the latter quality can be thought consistent with the rigid exactions of science.

No attention has been given to the mere _History_ of the subject; it is conceived that any disquisition on this head would more properly appertain to works of ultimate research, than to one whose sole intention is to make the pupil acquainted, in as tangible a form as possible, with _results_. To afford, at a cheap rate, a concise, yet sufficiently comprehensive, and especially a well illustrated school-book, has been the principal design.

In conclusion, I have only to acknowledge my great indebtedness to the valuable public labors, as well as private assistance, of Mr. Isaac Lea, of Philadelphia. To Mr. Thomas Wyatt, and his late excellent _Manual of Conchology_, I am also under many obligations. No better work, perhaps, could be put into the hands of the student as a secondary text book. Its beautiful and perfectly well-coloured illustrations afford an aid in the collection of a cabinet scarcely to be met with elsewhere.

E. A. P.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

In issuing a second edition of this “Conchology,” in so very brief a period since the publication of the first large impression, the author has little more to do than to express the high pleasure with which he has seen his labors well received. The success of the work has been decided; and the entire design has been accomplished in its general introduction into schools.

Many important alterations and additions are now made; errors of the press carefully corrected; many more recently discovered American species added; and the work, upon the whole, is rendered more worthy the public approbation.

E. A. P.

INTRODUCTION.

The term “_Conchology_,” in its legitimate usage, is applied to that department of Natural History which has reference to animals with testaceous covering or shells. It is not unfrequently confounded with _Crustaceology_, but the distinction is obvious and radical, lying not more in the composition of the animal’s habitation, than in the organization of the animal itself. This latter, in the _Crustacea_, is of a fibrous nature, and has articulated limbs; the shell, strictly adapted to the members, covers the creature like a coat of mail, is produced at one elaboration, is cast or thrown aside periodically, and, again at one elaboration, renewed; it is moreover composed of the animal matter with phosphate of lime. In the _Testacea_, on the contrary, the inhabitant is of a simple and soft texture, without bones, and is attached to its domicil by a certain adhesive muscular force; this domicil, too, is a permanent one, and is increased, from time to time, by gradual additions on the part of the tenant; while the entire shell, which is distributed in layers, or strata, is a combination of carbonate of lime, with a very small portion of gelatinous matter. Such animals, then, with such shells, form, alone, the subject of a proper “Conchology.”

Writers have not been wanting to decry this study as frivolous or inessential; most unjustly assailing the science itself, on account of the gross abuses which have now and then arisen from its exclusive and extravagant pursuit. They have reasoned much after this fashion:—that Conchology is a folly, because Rumphius was a fool. The _Conus Cedo Nulli_ has been sold for three hundred guineas; and the naturalist just mentioned gave a thousand pounds sterling for one of the first discovered specimens of the _Venus Dione_ (of Linnæus). But there have been men in all ages who have carried to an absurd, and even pernicious extreme, pursuits the most ennobling and praiseworthy.

To an upright and well regulated mind, there is no portion of the works of the Creator, coming within its cognizance, which will not afford material for attentive and pleasurable investigation; and, so far from admitting the venerable error even now partially existing to the discredit of Conchology, we should not hesitate to acknowledge, that while few branches of Natural History are of more direct, _very few_ are of more adventitious importance.

Testaceous animals form the principal subsistence of an immense number of savage nations, inhabitants of the sea-board. On the coast of Western Africa, of Chili, of New Holland, and in the clustered and populous islands of the Southern seas, how vast an item is the apparently unimportant shell-fish in the wealth and happiness of man! In more civilized countries it often supplies the table with a delicate luxury. Nor must we forget the services of the _pinna_ with its web, nor of the _purpura_ with its brilliant and once valuable dye, nor omit to speak of the pearl-oyster, with the radiant nacre, and the gem which it produces, and the world of industry which it sets in action as minister to the luxury which it stimulates.

Shells, too, being composed of particles already in natural combination, have not within them, like flowers and animals, the seed of dissolution. While the preparation of a specimen for the cabinet is a simple operation, a conchological collection will yet remain perfect for ages. These important circumstances being duly considered, in connexion with the universally acknowledged beauty and variety, both of form and colour, so strikingly observable in shells, it is a matter for neither wonder nor regret that these magnificent _exuviæ_, even regarded merely as such, should have attracted, in a very exclusive degree, the attention and the admiration of the naturalist. The study of Conchology, however, when legitimately directed, and when regarding these _exuviæ_ in their natural point of view, as the habitations, wonderfully constructed, of an immensely numerous and vastly important branch of the animal creation, will lead the mind of the investigator through paths hitherto but imperfectly trodden, to many novel contemplations of Almighty Beneficence and Design.

But it is, beyond all doubt, in a geological point of view that Conchology offers the most of interest to the student; and here, by reference to the fair pages of a profound and mighty knowledge to which it has pointed out the searcher after truth, are triumphantly refuted all charges brought against it of insignificance or frivolity.

“In fine, the relations of the mollusca,” says De Blainville, “with the mineral kingdom, and consequently with the mass of the earth which they contribute to form, are not devoid of interest, for without seeking here to resolve the physiological question—whether the conchyliferous mollusca borrow of the inorganic kingdom the calcareous matter which composes their shells, or whether they form it of themselves, it is still certain that they produce, at least, changes upon the surface of the earth by accumulating this material in some places more than in others, and in consequence that they alter the physiognomy of the superficial structure of the globe, the study of which constitutes geognosy.”

“By this,” says Parkinson, “we are taught that innumerable beings have lived, of which not one of the same kind does any longer exist—that immense beds composed of the spoils of these animals, extending for many miles under ground, are met with in many parts of the globe—that enormous chains of mountains, which seem to load the surface of the earth, are vast monuments, in which these remains of former ages are entombed—that, though lying thus crushed together, in a rude and confused mass, they are hourly suffering those changes, by which, after thousands of years, they become the chief constituent parts of gems, the limestone which forms the humble cottage of the peasant, or the marble which adorns the splendid palace of the prince.” Fossil, wood, coral, and shells, are, indeed, as Bergman very forcibly observes, the only true remaining “medals of Creation.”

EXPLANATION OF THE PARTS OF SHELLS.

MULTIVALVE.

A MULTIVALVE shell is composed of more parts than two. Every part of a shell which is connected by a cartilage, ligament, hinge, or tooth, is called a valve of such shell; thus, the Chitons have eight transverse, broad, but very short valves, placed on the back of the animal, and inserted at their sides into a marginal tough ligament. Plate I. fig. 11, _a a a_.

_Operculum_ consists of four small valves on the summit of the Lepas, which shut up the superior orifice; it is in a certain degree stationary, and different from the operculum of univalve shells, which will hereafter be described. Plate I. fig. 1, A. Fig. 9 represents a profile view of the operculum removed from its place, _a_ the front valves, _b_ the back valves. Fig. 10 a front view of the operculum.

_Base_ is that part of the shell by which it is fixed to rocks and other bodies. Plate I. fig. 1 and 2, B B B.—H is a piece of stone to which the base is fixed, and G a piece of wood to which the shells of this section are generally attached.

_Ligament_ is the membranous or tendinous substance by which the valves or parts of the shell are attached. Some multivalve shells are connected by the parts of one valve locking into another. Plate I. fig. 2, D D D. The ligaments vary considerably in their texture, being scaly, prickly, smooth, or punctated.

_Ridges_ are certain convexities in many of the Lepas tribe, sometimes longitudinal and sometimes transverse. Plate I. fig. 1, F F.

_Peduncle._ A sort of stem by which the shells of the Anatifera are attached to wood, &c. It is a membranaceous substance, similar to a bladder but materially thinner, and filled with a liquid which evidently affords nourishment to the animal. Plate I. fig. 2, C C; the peduncle is usually affixed to a piece of wood as represented at G.

_Feelers_ are those crenated arms, evolved from the side of the Anatifera. While the animal is in the water it continually moves its feelers, evidently for the purpose of entangling minute marine insects, as food. Plate I. fig. 2, E E.

_Accessory valves_ are small plates which cover the apex at the hinge of the Pholades, or are situated below the hinge. Plate I. fig. 3, _a_.

_Margin._ A fleshy border in which the valves are attached in the genus Chiton. Plate I. fig. 11, _b b_.

BIVALVE.

Bivalve shells consist of two parts or valves, connected by a cartilage, and a hinge which is generally composed of teeth; those of the one valve locking into a cavity in the other.

The valves of some bivalve shells are formed exactly alike, and others are very different; the one being smooth, the other rugose; one flat and another convex; and often one is shorter than the other.

The shells of the Mya, Solen, Tellina, Venus, and others, have in general both valves alike, while those of the Spondylus, Ostrea, and Anomia, have in general dissimilar valves. The first of these kinds are called equivalve, and the latter inequivalve.

_Equilateral_ shells, are those whose sides are alike, as in the shells of the genus Pecten. Plate II. fig. 2, and Plate VII. fig. 14. This is also exemplified in the Pectunclus.

_Inequilateral valves_ are shells whose sides are unequal; and of different shapes, as in the Mactra, Donax, &c.

_Summit_ is the most elevated point of that part of the shell in which the hinge is placed. Plate I. fig. 4, _i k_.

In naming this the summit we do not follow the axiom of Linnæus, but because we consider it more properly the summit of the shell than the opposite extremity.

_Base_ is the reverse of the above, or that part of the shell immediately opposite the summit. Plate I. fig. 6 and 7, _d d_.

_Sides_, the right and left parts of the valves. Plate I. fig. 6, _c_.

_Posterior slope_ is that part of the shell in which the ligament is situated. In viewing the posterior slope in front, the beaks of the shell retire from view. Plate I. fig. 4, _i_.

_Anterior slope_, that part of the shell opposite the posterior slope; in viewing it in front, the beaks point to the observer. Plate I. fig. 4, _k_.

_Disk_, the convex centre of a valve, or most prominent part of the valve, suppose it with its inside lying undermost. Plate I. fig. 4, _o_.

_Inside_, the concave part of a valve. Plate IV. fig. 6, _m_.

_Muscular impression_ is the impression left on the inside of the valves, by the adhering muscles of the animal. It differs in most shells, according to the shape of the animal, as semi-ovate, round, lunate, elongated, &c. As a specific distinction, it is often of great use; being, with a very few exceptions, alike in shells of the same species. Some shells have only one cicatrix, as the Edible Oyster and Mytilus; others have two, and some few more; the Tellina for example. Plate I. fig. 6 and 8, _e e e e_.

_Lunule._ The lunated depressions, situated in the anterior and posterior slopes. In different species of Venus they are prominent characteristic marks, often of much service in ascertaining a species. Plate I. fig. 4, _b b_.

_Ligament perforation._ The circular aperture, or perforation through which the ligament passes; by which the animal of the Anomia attaches itself to stones and other marine extraneous bodies, it is in general situated in the flat valve, though there are a few exceptions to the contrary. Plate I. fig. 7, _m_.

_Hinge_ is the point at which bivalve shells are united; it is formed by the teeth of one valve inserting themselves between those of the other, or by the teeth of one valve fitting into the cavities or sockets of the opposite one.

It is on the peculiar construction of the _hinge_ that the generic character of bivalve shells is principally founded, together with the general contour of the shell. Plate II. fig. 1 and 3, _q q q_.

_Teeth of the hinge._ Upon the number and relative situation of the teeth principally depend the specific distinctions; they are of various forms, and very differently placed; some are single and large, others numerous and small, orbicular, spatuliform, laminated, &c. Some hinges have no visible teeth, and are termed _inarticulate_.—When a primary tooth has a groove or hollow in its centre, it is called complicated. Plate IV. Fig. 6, _e_; those with few teeth are termed _articulate_. Plate IV. fig. 1 and 12; and those with many teeth _multiarticulate_. Plate IV. fig. 2, 3, 4, &c. Plate I. fig. 6, and 8, _g g g g_.

_Primary teeth_ are those teeth in general situated in the centre of the hinge, and are for the most part broad, large, and distinct, often elevated; and in general are inserted in a cavity in the opposite valve. They however differ very much in some shells, but may easily be distinguished. Plate IV. fig. 1, 3, and 7, _a a a a a_. These are also termed the Cardinal Teeth.

_Lateral Teeth_, Plate IV. fig. 10, are teeth which diverge from the Umbo, and are in general long and flat, often double and divided by a groove or hollow. Plate IV. fig. 2, 4, 6, and 7. _b b b b_.

_Double Teeth_, Plate IV. fig. 1, _c c_.

_Incurved Teeth_ are those which are bent round, as in the single tooth of the Solen. Plate IV. fig. 8, _f f_.

_Recurved Teeth_, are those which are bent backwards, as in the hinge of the Panopea and Spondylus.

_Middle Teeth_, Plate IV. fig. 4, _d d_. These are also termed Cardinal Teeth.

_Numerous Teeth_, are those small upright teeth, set in rows, of which the hinges of all the species of the genus Arca are formed. Plate IV. fig. 10, _k k_.

_Cavity of the Hinge._ The hollow depression in which the ligament of the Ostrea is situated, generally of a triangular form. Plate IV. fig. 11, _g_.

_Ligament_ of the Hinge, or cartilage, is that flexible fibrous substance by which the valves are united, and the hinges kept in their proper places; generally situated under the beaks of the shell. Plate II. fig. 1, 3, and 4, _l l l_; Plate IV. fig. 3, _n_.

_Beak_ is the extreme point of the summit of bivalves, which in many species turns spirally downwards or to the one side, as in some species of Venus, &c. From this circumstance it is seldom the highest part of the shell. Plate II. fig. 5, _r r_.

_Seam._ When the valves are closed, the line of separation between them is so called. Plate II. fig. 6, _t t_.

_Umbo._ That part situated immediately under the _beak_. Plate I. fig. 6, _w_; and Plate II. fig. 4, _w_.

_Ears._ The processes on each side of the beak, in most species of that division of Ostrea, called Pecten; some have one ear very large, and the other small; and some are scarcely observable on one side. Pl. II. fig. 2, _h h_.

_Superior Ear._ Plate IV. fig. 11, _h_.

_Inferior Ear._ Do. do. _i_.

_Margin._ The extreme edge of the whole shell, or the circumference of either valve, all round. Plate I. fig. 4, _p_; and Plate II. fig. 1, _p_.

_Crenulated margin._ That fine notched edge of shells, which unite into notches in the opposite valve, as genus Donax. Plate IV. fig. 6, _m m_.

_Striæ_ are fine thread-like lines, generally on the exterior surface of shells, and are sometimes both longitudinal and transverse. When the striæ of shells appear indistinct, as if worn out, it is termed _obsolete striæ_. In some instances the insides of shells are striated; for example, the Fasciolaria Tulipa. The character of the striæ is often of much use in distinguishing species. Plate II. fig 2, _f_.

_Right Valve_ is that valve which, when viewed with the inside uppermost, has the anterior slope pointing to the right hand. Plate I. fig. 8; and Plate IV. figs. 5 and 6, _B_.

_Left Valve._ The opposite of the above; the anterior slope points to the left hand, when viewed from the inside. Plate IV. figs. 3, 6, 7, 9, &c.

_Length of the Shell_ is taken from the ligament, or the beak, to the opposite margin. For example, Mytilus: it is longer than it is broad, and the Solens are broader than long. Plate I. fig. 5, _u u_; and Plate II. fig. 4, _v v_.

_Breadth_ is measured from the most extreme edge of the anterior and posterior slopes, being in a contrary direction from its length. Many shells are _broader than long_, such as most of the Myæ, Solenæ, Tellinæ, &c.; and the Mytilus, Ostrea, Pinna, &c., are in general longer than broad. Plate I. fig. 5, _v v_. Plate II. fig. 4, _v v_.

_Byssus_, or _beard_, is an appendage composed of filaments of a silky texture, by which some of the Bivalves fasten themselves to their beds, such as the Mytilus, Pinnæ, &c. Plate II. fig. 6, _s_.

UNIVALVE.

The shells called univalve, or those composed of one part only, are far more numerous than the two preceding, both in genera and species; and it requires a considerable degree of attention to discriminate many of the _species_, as they run into each other so much; and they are divested of the strong and distinct character afforded by the teeth of bivalves; besides many of the species there are several varieties.

In the examination of shells of this order, the general contour or outline of the whole shell is the first particular to be attended to, as this leads to those distinctions necessary in the definition of simple, spiral, or turbinated shells, Univalves with a regular spire, and those without a regular spire. The genera of this order are formed principally from the shape of the aperture, taken in conjunction with the general shape of the shell; from the spire being lengthened or depressed, being with or without a canal, the length of the beak and its direction, together with the particular form of the outer lip: the colour of shells only serves as a specific distinction, and cannot in this respect, in all cases, be depended upon, although in others it is an unvarying test. The particular manner in which the spots are disposed frequently characterises species.

_Apex._ The summit, tip, or highest part of the spire. Plate II. figs. 7, 8, 9, _A A A_.

_Base_ is the opposite extremity from the apex, or tip of the spire. In shells with a beak it implies the tip of such beak; Plate II. fig. 11, _B_. In shells without a beak it is understood to be the lower part, as before-mentioned, opposite the apex; Plate II. figs. 8 and 9, _B B_. In the Patella and some others, the base of the shell is that part on which it rests when it is laid on its mouth. In the Dentalium and Teredo it is the wider end.

_Body_ of the shell is the first or lower whorl of the spire, in which the aperture is situated, and is in general longer than the remaining whorls. Plate II. figs. 10 and 12, _F F_; and Plate III. figs. 7 and 9, _F F_.

_Front_ of the shell is that side where the aperture is situated. Plate II. fig. 7, _I_; and Plate III. fig. 8, _I_.

_Back_ is the opposite side to that in which the aperture is placed or turned directly from the observer. Plate III. figs. 5 and 10, _G G_.