Historical Account of Testaceological Writers. 181 
pointed out are of great advantage to the language of science, 
are not altogether reconcilable with the delicacy proper to be 
observed in ordinary discourse ; nor are they such, perhaps, as 
should be employed on any occasions, except those when their 
original signification is immediately implicated. Yet these terms 
may be exchanged for others without detriment to the JLin- 
nean phraseology in general ; and though none probably more 
expressive can be adopted for the respective purposes, they may 
be abolished without any great disadvantage to those generic de- 
finitions into which they have been introduced. 
Whilst alluding to the language and terms employed by Lin- 
naeus in his description of the Testacea, we ought to refer the 
reader to the Fundamenta Testaceologice, in which they are all sci- 
entifically explained, and which contains a complete illustration 
of the principles of arrangement adopted in this part of his 
works. Though it bears the name of MURRAY, who was re- 
spondent in this academical dissertation, the performance ought 
properly to be considered as the President's, who, as in all the 
other papers contained in the Amoznitates Academics, furnished 
the principal materials for them himself. The paper of which we 
are speaking contains three plates, explanatory of the generic 
characters, and of the parts of shells to which the several terms 
apply. 
In concluding our remarks on the works of Linnaeus, we ought 
to take some notice of the editor of his Systema, GMELIN, who 
has increased the number of the Vermes Testacea to 2334. If the 
whole of this number were founded on unimpeachable authori- 
ties, and if the writer had in other respects inspired confidence in 
his correctness, as well as in his knowledge of the subject, great 
indeed would have been the obligation of naturalists to this labo- 
rious publisher. Unfortunately, however, his errors are innume- 
rable 
