144 Dr. Maton's and Mr. Rackett's 
OLTGER JACOB^US, 
drew up an elaborate volume, under the title of " Museum He- 
mum" It is a very handsome work, but contains no attempt at 
system, and the tenth plate is the only one relative to Testaceo- 
logy: indeed this represents only an ornamental fabric composed 
of shells. In the new edition published by LAUERENTZEN 
a few species are added, though in a very indifferent style, and 
there is not much augmentation of the descriptive part. An al- 
phabetical index, in two parts, one of which relates to the artifi- 
cial, and the other to the natural subjects, was published in 1726. 
SIRBALD, 
though best known by his " Scotia illustrata" ought to be men- 
tioned here, as having been the author of a general Testaceologi- 
cal work, bearing the title of " Auctarium Muscei Balfoiiriani." This 
work, however, does not treat of Testacea exclusively, but com- 
prehends a variety of subjects, both of art and nature, which were 
contained in the collection of Sir Andrew Balfour, Knight, M. D. 
— a collection presented to the University of Edinburgh, and 
considerably augmented by the intimate friend of the donor, who 
described the whole in the work above mentioned. Unfortu- 
nately for the reputation of this University among naturalists, a 
very small part of the collection is now remaining. " Such/' says 
Mr. Pennant, " has been the negligence of past times, that scarce 
a specimen of the noble collection deposited in it by Sir Andrew 
Balfour is to be met with, any more than the great additions 
made to it by Sir Robert Sibbald." (Scotch Tour, 17 76. p. 246.) 
Such is too often the fate of public collections ; and so slight 
or so transient is any respect for the laudable intentions of gene- 
rous 
