PREFACE. Xlll 



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 stu- 

 died, there is some work, in the English lan- 

 guage, explanatory of the terms, and funda- 

 mental principles ; and in the vegetable and 

 mineral departments, very many excellent 

 helps are offered to the young and inexpe- 

 rienced student : but there is not one *, of 

 this description, which is calculated to throw 

 any light upon the difficulties of Concho- 



• Since the first edition of this work was published, two 

 other Introductions to the Science of Conchology have ap- 

 peared ; both of which are mentioned in the List of Authors. 



