The following is an epitaph, one of the many that make up "Spoon River
Anthology" by Edgar Lee Masters (1915). The poem refers to Tyndall, who was
a popular lecturer on the natural sciences in the late nineteenth century.
Yeomans is unidentified, but may be the name of a nursery that sent out
catalogs. The Spoon River is real; it flows through central Illinois. The
community of Spoon River is Masters' invention, though some of the epitaphs
are based on real people.

This is not the only epitaph to mention river mussels, but it is my
favorite. In an era of internet communications, it seems curiously apt.

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama

+++++++++++++

William Jones

Once in a while a curious weed unknown to me,
Needing a name from my books;
Once in a while a letter from Yeomans.
Out of the mussel-shells gathered along the shore
Sometimes a pearl with a glint like meadow rue:
Then betimes a letter from Tyndall in England,
Stamped with the stamp of Spoon River.
I, lover of Nature, beloved for my love of her,
Held such converse afar with the great
Who knew her better than I.
Oh, there is neither lesser nor greater,
Save as we make her greater and win from her keener delight.
With shells from the river cover me, cover me.
I lived in wonder, worshipping earth and heaven.
I have passed on the march eternal of endless life.

        Edgar Lee Masters, Spoon River Anthology (1915)