PREFACE 



The study of Conchology has, by many, been considered 

 as trifling, and tending to no useful purpose ; but such 

 an opinion could emanate only from persons ignorant 

 of its great importance in a geological point of view : 

 fossil shells, coral, and wood, with other organic re- 

 mains, being the only true remaining Medals of 

 Creation — as Bergman elegantly expresses himself. 

 These often retain the exact figure of their primitive 

 state. By their aid, therefore, we are enabled to 

 identify strata, both of the older and more recent 

 formations, that may present themselves to view in 

 diiFerent parts of the globe. Few of these fossil species 

 now exist in a living state, most of them having per- 

 ished in the wreck of the former world. "By these 

 medals," says Parkinson, "we are taught, that in- 

 numerable beings have lived, of which not one of the 

 same kind does any longer exist ; that immense beds, 

 composed of the spoils of these animals, extending for 

 many miles under ground, are met with in many parts 



