Victorian era science text for children. Features everything a child could want to learn (and probably much more) about seashells. Main format is questions and answers eg. "Teacher: Of what use do you suppose shells to be? Child: They must be a defence and protection to the animals which they cover." Also provides descriptive info and questions for further study. While the text would be quite advanced for a ten year old today, it is a fine representation of how a well-educated child was prepared for the study of his or her natural environment. Even includes poetry on the Limpet attaching itself to a rock: "We wonder that such strength should dwell, In such a small and simple shell!" (p. 123).
