The Wonders of God’s Creation
THE CARRIER SHELL is native to the waters of Japan, the Philistines and Malaysia. It is a strange marine animal, looking like a pile of dead shellfish.
Although provided with its own shell, it does not seem satisfied with it; possibly because some parts of its body are not covered. So it is always on the lookout for added protection. As it moves about on the ocean floor it finds an empty shell of the right size and puts its mouth against it for several minutes. This adds a thin coating of new material to the shell. This, together with a cement it produces, enables the new shell to stick to the carrier’s back wherever it chooses to place it.
Never satisfied with only one added shell, these odd little fellows will often add a dozen or more to their backs and sides. This strange habit apparently adds protection and at the same time conceals it from its enemies, who must often wonder what kind of creature it is with its big pile of ornaments.
THE HARP SHELL is a native of tropic waters also. It is large and beautiful with a variety of colors and has a strong ribbed shell covering it. Most of its time is spent plowing through the sandy bottom, searching for shrimps or crabs.
It has a most interesting method of catching a crab. The harp shell and the crab are enemies; the crab loves to eat the harp, and the harp loves to make a meal out of the crab. The harp, however, usually wins when they meet. When the harp finds a crab, it purposely exposes part of its “foot” which the crab immediately grabs. Since this is an expendable part of the harp, it breaks off easily and later grows back. While the crab is enjoying this treat, the harp moves around it, covering its enemy with a sticky substance on which it throws a mound of sand. The crab can’t escape. The meal, which it accepted so eagerly, was really a trap. Now the harp has its turn and eats the crab.
These are strange but interesting details of sea life. We may not understand why they were created, but they are part of God’s purposes in the ways of the ocean. We know they were not originally made to devour one another, but their peaceful way of life was disrupted when sin came into the world. Happily, there is a time coming when everything will be made right. But before that time comes a dreadful judgment is coming. All who have refused God’s gift of salvation will stand before the great white throne to hear that judgment pronounced against them.
If you have not done so, listen to the warning: “Escape for thy life"! Turn to Christ, the Saviour of sinners, while it is still the day of grace. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:77The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7).
ML-09/28/1980