125 



referred to by Linnaeus, in his " Systema Naturae." In the twelfth volume of 

 the Philosophical Transactions, is a " Relation concerning Bernacles," by 

 Sir Robert Moray, who asserts, as we have stated, that young geese pro- 

 ceed from them, and may actually be seen. 



In 16S1, Grew published his " Museum Regalis Societatis," or catalogue 

 and description of the natural and artificial rarities belonging to the Royal Socie- 

 ty, and preserved in Gresham college, London. This was the earliest work of 

 its kind that appeared in the English language. The shells are described in 

 two chapters; the first, comprehending univalves, the second, bivalves and 

 multivalves, illustrated with about 140 figures, to which the current English 

 names are prefixed. 



Buonanni was cotemporary with Grew; and, in the same year, published at 

 Rome his " Ricreazione," &c, a work of very superior merit, and esteem- 

 ed the first professedly written at any considerable length on the subject of 

 Conchology. 



There was another edition published in Latin, three years after, with 

 additions: the first contained a series of 450 figures, the number of which is 

 augmented to 550 in the Latin edition. These are valuable for reference, 

 being constantly in request. In the Linnaean Systema Naturae, the greatest 

 fault is, that many of the shells are reversed by the inaccuracy of the en- 

 graver, so that the apertures of the spiral, or turbinated shells, turn to the left 

 instead of the right.* 



A production of uncommon merit made its appearance about this time be- 

 fore the public; the great Conchological work of Dr. Lister, entitled " His- 

 toria, sive Synopsis Methodica Conchyliorum," the publication of which 

 commenced in 1685. The author had previously distinguished himself by 

 some excellent dissertations on the same subject; but our attention is princi- 

 pally directed to this as his most extensive and valuable undertaking. It was 

 published in folio, progressively, from 1685 to 1692. Lister divides his 

 work into four books: 1st, De Turbinibus Terrestribus; 2d, De Vivalvibus 

 Aquaedulcis; 3d, De Vivalvibus Marinis et Conchisanatiferis; 4th, De Patellis 

 Dentalibus, &c, et de Buccinis Marinis." There is no text to this book. 

 The whole work consists of engravings, with a brief description of the shells, 

 and reference to their native country, where that could be ascertained, in the 

 Latin tongue, and sometimes the current English names. The plates, which 

 are of various dimensions, are executed with great force and delicacy by the 



* A copy of this rare work is in the possession of Seth Bass, M. D. of this city. 



