190 Dr. Maton's and Mr. Uackett's 



celebrated cabinets on the continent, but more especially from 

 that of Spcngler, whose collection deserves to be considered as 

 one of the most extensive, as well as the most replete Avith rare 

 and interesting specimens, that has ever been formed for the study 

 of the Testacea. The name of 8PENGLER ought to have a 

 place also among the writers on these subjects, descriptions of 

 several shells from his pen having appeared in ditferent German 

 publications; and it has not unmeritedly been attached, as a spe- 

 cific denomination, to a Macfra described by Chemnitz. 



The work of which avc are here particularh^ treating docs not 

 materially ditler, as to system, from the Linnean school, but 

 (excepting just the definitions of the species and the synonyms) 

 is written wholly in the German language; and it is much to be 

 lamented that it has not assumed an}' other dress, for the fulness 

 of the descriptive part renders it highly worthy of being consult^ 

 ed. At the period when the use of the Latin language was thought 

 indispensable in books of science, the attainment of knowledge 

 was attended Avith much fcAA^er difliculties than at present, when, 

 though the use of a dead language may not be absolutely neces- 

 sary, there is certainly as much need as ever of sonie one tongue 

 being made the medium of conmiunjcation among philosophical 

 men of all nations. We do not hesitate to pronounce the volumes 

 of Martini and Chemnitz as constituting a Testaccological library 

 in themselves ; and we cannot, therefore, adequately express our 

 regret at their utility as books of reference being limited to the 

 German scholar, when it might, Avithout any considerable difli- 

 culty, have been extended to all lovers of the science by the sub- 

 stitution of French. 



Chemnitz Avas author of seA^eral Testaccological papers inserted 

 in different foreign journals, but they are not of sufficient im- 

 portance to require being particularized. His collection of shells 



is 



