94 SUMMARY. 
into anything more than varieties. ©. Cumingii, Gray, C. Gaskoinii, 
Reeve, C. esontropia, Duclos, C. Peasei, MSS., and C. cribellum, 
Gask., are the varieties referred to. The Conus marmoreus, 
Bandanus, Nicabaricus, Kraussii, nocturnus, de Burghia, &c., are a 
series of varieties, and Lamarck has given in the ‘Encyclopedia 
Methodique” some very interesting unstable forms. Howsuchasingu- 
larly marked cone as that figured in Reeve’s “Conchologia Iconica,” 
pl. 14, f.74,should have escaped without being honoured by a specific 
name isa marvel. In the genus Marginella, that line of cylindrical 
shells commencing with the largest, M. philippinarum, Redfield, and 
ending with the M. minina, Guilding, are a very undistinguishable lot. 
The Volutes, taking the V. reticulata, Reeve, as a starting point, and 
finishing with V. pretexta, Reeve, including V. undata and its 
varieties, Ellioti and Angasi, pallida, Turneri, &c., form a series of 
one variable shell. 
The changes taking place in the opinions, not only of con- 
chologists, but of scientific men generally, are destined to improve 
the basis upon which systematic zoology rests. Many of the dogmas 
propounded during the early ages of scientific research have continued 
to the present time, the question never having been asked, how far 
these opinions were liable to be modified? Many, nay I may say 
most, of the older Naturalists who had imbibed their ideas in their 
youth and tenaciously held on to them as long as they lived, have 
passed away, and it is to be hoped the greater part of the prejudices 
obstructive to science have gone with them. An entirely new 
school has emerged into life and activity, cultivating an earnest 
desire to upheld only that which is true, and ready at least to give 
a fair hearing to the opinions of others. We are just emerging 
out of a false system, and find ourselves surrounded by students 
whose minds have been gradually preparing for the great changes 
taking place and that are likely to result from the combined efforts 
of many master minds. 
The characters on which molluscous genera and species have 
been founded are more or less artificial; admitting the existence of 
true but unsuspected affinities between the Testacea of distant 
genera, The great work of the future in conchology will be that of 
