

PREFACE 



In the following pages, the writer has attempted to convey 

 to his readers some of the most striking and interesting 

 facts in the natural history of the Molluscous animals living 

 in and about our own country. The pleasures of a sea- 

 side or country ramble must be greatly increased by an 

 acquaintance with shell-bearing tribes met with among 

 the rocks on the beach, the ponds and lakes and running 

 streams dotting and intersecting the land, and the hedge- 

 rows parting the fields. 



This knowledge is sought to be given in language easily 

 understood, and as little burdened as possible with tech- 

 nical phraseology. 



An extensive work, by two gentlemen of the highest 

 authority, having recently appeared, fully describing every 

 species of British Mollusca, the present writer has thought 



