xviii PREFACE. 



its branches ; for it is surely more easy 

 to remember a well-defined term, though 

 it be new to the ear, than to discover the 

 exact meaning of one which is capable of a 

 diversity of explanations. 



Of the Plates it need only be said, that 

 they are all, without any exception, drawn 

 from Nature, and as accurately as an unin- 

 structed hand could with much care ac- 

 complish. They are intended to illustrate 

 the forms of every natural subdivision of 

 each genus, and will admit of being co- 

 loured by the student in conchology, from 

 other specimens, either as an embellish- 

 ment, or as a very beneficial exercise to- 

 wards acquiring a more intimate knowledge 

 of this peculiar science. 



A few Drawings have been added, with 



