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The risen Christ shares supper with two men at Emmaus. Engraving.

An abalone shell covered in flaky brown seaweed. Watercolour.

The British Museum: the Zoological Gallery, crowded with holiday visitors. Wood engraving, 1845.

The risen Christ shares supper with two men at Emmaus. Etching by R. Delaunay after P. Caliari, il Veronese.

Neptune and Amphitrite sit on a scallop shell chariot amidst the waves, surrounded by nereids and tritons; representing the element water. Engraving by L. Desplaces, 1718, after Louis de Boullogne the younger.

Galatea riding a scallop shell chariot over the seas accompanied by Neptune, nymphs and cherubs, symbolising the element water. Etching by F. Bartolozzi, 1796, after F. Albani.

Four mussel shells, one with the contents exposed, and a dragonfly. Watercolour.

Several varieties of field snail (Helix hortensis). Colour reproduction of a painting by L. F. Muckley.

Abraham Vater. Line engraving by J. M. Bernigeroth, 1752.

Venus riding a scallop shell chariot over the seas accompanied by Neptune, nymphs and cherubs, symbolising the element water. Engraving by E. Baudet, 1695, after F. Albani.

Two Samoan women, seated in a domestic setting, wearing grass skirts, one with seashell necklece.

A woman holding a compass and a square rule; representing architecture. Engraving by E. Delaune, ca. 1560.

Conchyliologie nouvelle et portative. Ou Collection de coquilles propres à orner les cabinets des curieux de cette partie de l'histoire naturelle : mises par ordre alphabétique, avec les notes des endroits d'òu elles se tirent, & des cabinets qui renferment les plus rares.

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Abraham Vater. Line engraving by J. M. Bernigeroth, 1752.

Two Samoan women, seated in a domestic setting, wearing grass skirts, one with seashell necklece.

A woman holding a compass and a square rule; representing architecture. Engraving by E. Delaune, ca. 1560.

Conchyliologie nouvelle et portative. Ou Collection de coquilles propres à orner les cabinets des curieux de cette partie de l'histoire naturelle : mises par ordre alphabétique, avec les notes des endroits d'òu elles se tirent, & des cabinets qui renferment les plus rares.

The risen Christ shares supper with two men at Emmaus. Engraving.