In the _Cardita_ we have the same heart-shaped form, but the ornamental surface is in many respects different. The regular curved lines proceeding from the hinge of the shell, which is itself most delicately formed, present in the _Cardium mutonianum_ (Fig. 12), the _tuberculata_ of Sowerby, a most pleasing arrangement of striations. The regularity of these, as shown in the woodcut, particularly recommends this specimen and others of its class as admirably adapted for ornamental purposes, where very delicate and elaborate workmanship can be admitted.
The _Opis Sabandiana_ (Fig. 13) is another of these elegant shells more remarkable for the regular form of its outline than for any elaboration of the striæ which traverse it, in this respect standing in pleasing contrast with the preceding figure.
Among the _Trigonia_ will be found a vast variety of the most symmetrical forms, most of which are elegantly ornamented.
The two representations which we have given of the _Trigonia scabra_ (Figs. 14 and 15) will convey a general idea of the more striking characteristics of this class of fossils, which are found distributed abundantly over the Portland rocks. The manner in which the folds of the shells overlap each other is singular, and gives to them often a very striking resemblance to the foldings of leaves in the leaf-bud of plants. The curved lines, formed by the small bosses regularly elevated from the striæ, running transversely to these lines in many species, give an exceedingly pleasing outline, which certainly adapts these Trigonia, from the variety of forms thus produced, to the purposes of the art-manufacturer in a peculiar manner.
By the wonderful transmutation of organic structures, by those natural processes
“Which turned the ocean-bed to rock, And changed its myriad living swarms To the marble’s veined forms,”
we have preserved specimens of the early creations, rivalling in beauty any of those which now exist.
If we can but show that a series of novelties for art may be found by searching over the charnel-houses of the ancient world, possessing the charm of symmetry and that beauty of arrangement and decoration which adapts them, as we believe, to numerous ornamental purposes, we shall be satisfied. We do but suggest an examination. We have confined ourselves to a few of the numerous remains of animal life. “The sermons in stones” are varied beyond the conception of those who have not attempted to read them. Between the earliest attempts of Nature to form a cell in which life should exert its mysteries, up to the most elaborated and gigantic form which ever swam in the ancient waters or roamed in the wide savannahs, there is one unceasing, never-failing effort to multiply the beautiful, and to make it conformable to the useful. In conclusion, we may again remark that whether we seek to copy from Nature her older or her more recent works, we shall find in them all that peculiar charm which