129 



In modern times, Mr. Woods' excellent catalogue, Mr. Svvainson's tracts, 

 Perry's magnificent quarto, and Dillvvyn's invaluable catalogue all demand 

 attention. Perry's book is splendid, rare, and valuable. A copy was in the 

 possession of the late Mr. Israel Thorndike. 



Woods' plates are, though generally well executed, in some instances 

 wanting, and in others, redundant in coloring. 



I do not mention the Lamarchian system in this treatise; I only regard 

 that of Linnaeus. 



Lamarck has done much for Conchology; but I consider he has increased, 

 unnecessarily, the genera of Linnaeus. Dr. Turton's books on the subject 

 are worthy of reference. Burrows' Elements are well calculated to assist the 

 learner. I am confident that much important matter has been omitted; but I 

 trust to the candor of a generous public to overlook such imperfections as 

 the want of scientific observation alone can give. 



There are in BufFon 26 plates of shells, comprising 163 figures. There 

 are in Rees' Cyclopedia 21 plates of shells, comprising 120 figures. 



In the Encyclopedia Britannica there are four plates of shells, well engraved, 

 comprising 72 figures of all the genera. 



METHOD TO OBTAIN AND CLEANSE SHELLS. 



Collectors should always try to get shells with the animal alive within them. 

 This can be done by drags or trawling nets, such as fishermen use. After 

 storms is the best time for the search of shells. Such as have lain long on 

 the sea shore, exposed to the rain and the sun, become dead and bleached, 

 which renders them unfit for cabinets. River shells are more frequently of 

 an obscure color, and remarkably thin. Hard shells, which abound chiefly 

 in hot climates, are generally very beautiful. 



Immediately after extracting the fish which inhabits the shell, is the time to 

 prepare the shell, so that it need not be injured by the salts contained in the sea 

 water. When taken, they had better be thrown into boiling water, a suffi- 

 cient time to destroy the animal; taken out, and put immediately into cold 

 water, where they must remain till quite cold, when the animal can be easily 

 taken out. 



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