﻿PE E F A C E 



THE T W E X T I E T II V ( ) L U M E. 



On tlie completion of tins great work, a few words appear due to the Subscribers. 



In tho Britisli IMuseuni, England possessc-s a collection of shells—iucluding that of 

 the late Ur. Hugh Cuming, aeciuired by purchase h. 18Cr,_which for richness and 

 .-ompleteness rivals all other collections in tlu> world put together. 



The 'Conchologia Iconica' was .-onnnenced by my late husband, Mr. Lovell Eeeve, 

 in 1843, as the exponent of these and other collcctious. At tlu- time of his decease, in 

 1S6-), fifteen volumes of the work had been com])lete(l. Although these', containing as 

 tlK.y do most of tlu,- more impcnlant Genera, would havr been no inconsiderable 

 comribution to Conchological science still as many Genera reuiaiued unrepresented, it 

 was thought desirable to continue the work to a point at winch, tbr all practical purposes, 

 it minht be i)ronounced complete. 



The literary conduct of tin- work was tlu.refore entrusted to Mr. G. 11 yowerby,F.L.y.. 

 who had hitherto sui)plied the artistic p(ntion. 



His Eoyal Uighness the late I'rince Consort was anmngst the earliest subscribers, 

 and his subscription (f .r two copic-s) has been graciously continued by Her Majesty the 

 Qu(>en. 



Many of the earlier sul)scu-ibers have not lived to see the completion of the work, m 

 the commencement of winch they t.u.k a lively interest, but their subscriptions have been 

 continued by members of the family, or have been replaced by other individuals. 



T.) Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, and to the rest of the Subscribers, I beg 

 to t,.nder my most grateful acknowledgments, for the continued support which has 

 enabled me to bring the work to what I trust will be deemed a satisfactory conclusion. 



MARTHA REEVE. 

 TiiE C»tim:e, Gilston, ke.\r II.vblow : 



^fa,■ch 2'.), isrs. 



