PREFACE. IX 



works in different languages afford ; — by 

 this means have been rendered attainable 

 by all the hidden treasures of a most 

 interesting science, the valuable fruits of 

 the laborious investigation of a few. 



In each class of the animal kingdom, at 

 least in those which are most generally 

 studied, there is some work, in the English 

 language, explanatory of the terms and 

 fundamental principles ; and in the veget- 

 able and mineral departments, very many 

 excellent helps are offered to the young and 

 inexperienced student : but there is not 

 one* of this description, which is calculated 

 to throw any light upon the difficulties of 



* Since the first edition of this work was pubhshed, 

 two other Introductions to the Science of Conchology 

 have appeared ; both of which are mentioned in the 

 List of Authors. 



