17S S'1'1 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. A Manual of the Land and Freshxioater Shells of the 

 British Islands^ tvith coloured Plates of every Species. By W. 

 Turton, M.D. Foolscap 8vo. London, Longman, 183L 10s,6d. 



This is a very neat and beautiful little volume ; and will be, 

 we doubt not, a very acceptable present to the bulk of British 

 conchologists, since it will enable them to classify their col- 

 lections of native land and freshwater shells according to the 

 most approved system of the day, and to attach their respec- 

 tive names with facility and with certainty. The descriptions 

 of the species are not merely correct : they are remarkable for 

 elegance, perspicuity, and propriety of language, the techni- 

 calities of the science being used only on necessary occasions ; 

 while the figures are characteristic, and both engraved and 

 coloured in a very creditable manner. 



We know not that we can say more in favour of the book, 

 and it would not have been just to its author to have said less. 

 Its main defect lies in the want of information relative to the 

 anatomy, physiology, and habits of the animals. Miiller said, 

 long ago, that we had amused ourselves sufficiently with 

 shells, had expressed enough of wonder about their forms and 

 colours ; and that it was time to leave these things to children, 

 and bind ourselves up like men to study the living inmates, 

 their structure, and manners. How the call has been answered 

 on the Continent, it boots us not to enquire : in this country 

 it found no responsive echo ; and if at this late hour we begin 

 to feel and acknowledge its justice, it must, nevertheless, be 

 granted, that very few among us (and Dr. Turton is not of the 

 few) even yet cultivate this department of natural science as 

 Miiller bade us, and as common sense would dictate. The 

 greater number of our living conchologists care more for rare 

 species, and perfect specimens, and pretty and uncommon 

 varieties, and such similar absurdities, than for the anatomical 

 discoveries of a Lister or a Cuvier, for the high discussions 

 of a Lamarck, or even for the economical observations of a 

 Miiller and a Montagu. 



The history of conchology in Great Britain during the 

 present century is, indeed, any thing but creditable to the 

 reputation of us who are conchologists. If we except some 



