2 



absence of the living parts, as the medals of a creation whose history may 

 to a great extent be ascertained by their structure and animal-impressions ; 

 and to exhibit their connection it is only necessary to present liim with a 

 few of the typical kinds with the animal in situ. Many erroneous notions 

 have prevailed in regard to tliis most interesting science, for want of properly 

 estimating the very important relation between shells and their molluscous 

 inhabitants. Collectors are still prejudiced in favour of the antiquated 

 notions of Linnseus. They arrange their shells according to the varieties 

 of j'orm and external aspect, forgetting, that they are merely a collection of 

 skeletons, the calcified portions of animals possessing an organization far 

 superior to that of the Bee, and a thousand creatures whose structure and 

 sagacity of habits have so often excited their admiration. 



It is proposed in the " Elements of Conchology^^ to give an account, 

 not of the anatomical detail of the Mollusca, but of their habits, affinities, 

 and mode of producing shells, their structure, geograpliical distribution, and 

 systematic arrangement, with the names of aU the species known up to the 

 time of publication ; accompanied by a characteristic shell-figure of every 

 genus, and one of a shell with its living animal in illustration of each par- 

 ticular group. 



The drawings of the shells with animals will be mainly derived from those 

 magnificent, but almost inaccessible. Zoologies of Surveying Expeditions 

 published by the French Govermnent, including that by M. Lesson in the 

 ' Voyage de la Coquille^ by M. M. Quoy and Gaimard in the ' Voyage de 

 I'Astrolabe', by M. D'Orbigny in the ' Voyage dans FAmerique Meridionale' 

 and by M, Deshayes in the ' MoUusques de TAlgerie' ; and the author trusts 

 by a popular generalization of the facts at present veiled in physiological 

 obscurity, to give the elementary study of Conchology a more legitimate tone, 

 and make it as easy as it is full of scientific interest. 



To expect a work of tliis nature to become popular it must be well illus- 

 trated, and it must be cheap ; and the author has assuredly the means of 

 accompKshing these objects with peculiar facility in the possession of a well- 

 organized printing estabUshment. 



It is fully expected that the Work wiU not exceed about twelve numbers, 

 and as a guarantee for its completion it may be added that Mr. G. B. Sowerby 

 Jun. has been for some time occupied in engraving the figures upon cop- 

 per-plate, of which between two and three hundred are already finis hed. 

 The first Number wiU be published in the course of January. 



*** Subscribers are earnestly solicited to favour the Publishers with their names as early as possible. 



LONDON : 



llEEVE, BROTHERS, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND ; 

 FOKTIN, MASSON ET CIE., PLACE DE L'ECOLE DE MEDECINE, PARIS. 



