INTRODUCTION. 



CoNCHOLOGY or Tcstaceolgy is a numerous and beautiful 

 branch of Natural History, treating of the testaceous cover- 

 ing of animals ; perhaps none but the department of Flora 

 can vie with it in variety, symmetry of form, and rich col- 

 ouring. It has ever excited admiration, and obtained a prom- 

 inent situation in the cabinet ; and so great are the faciUties 

 afforded at the present day to procure specimens and obtain 

 a knowledge of this science, that it has become one of the 

 requisites of a finished education. Shells are found in all 

 parts of the world, both on land and in water ; but the most 

 beautiful and valuable species are found between the tropics. 



At first they were regarded as pleasing curiosities, and 

 prized only on that account ; but the investigations of scien- 

 tific men have proved that the study of this science is not 

 only interesting, but useful. Much valuable information has 

 already been obtained, and, from the investigations of mod- 

 ern naturalists, much more may be anticipated. 



So intimate is the connexion between Conchology and 

 Geology, that a knowledge of the one is indispensable to 

 the study and acquirement of the other. The geologist will 

 draw much advantage from a close study of the testaceous 

 covering of molluscous animals to aid him in determining 

 the identity or the superposition of the different strata of the 



