PREFACE. 



In offering to the public their work on the " Genera of 

 Keeent Mollusca," the Authors believe they are supplying a 

 want in this branch of Zoology, especially as active research 

 is now being made into the structure and habits of the 

 animals that produce the beautiful shells so much admired 

 in the cabinets of Conchologists. 



They have endeavoured, as far as the present state of 

 knowledge on this subject would permit them, to group the 

 Genera in accordance with their natural affinities, and they 

 trust that, from the care with which they have consulted 

 every original source of information, the work will prove a 

 correct and useful guide to those who desire to become 

 better acquainted with this interesting division of the animal 

 kingdom. 



The Authors desire to acknowledge their obligations to 

 Dr. Gray, Mr. S. P. Woodward, and especially to Mr. 

 Hugh Cuming, who, with his accustomed love of science, 

 has afforded them liberal access to his unrivalled collection, 

 and freely imparted to them much valuable information 

 relative to the habits and localities of various genera. 



With regard to the illustrations, the Authors may add, 

 that many are derived from drawings of the living animals, 



