Vlll PREFACE. 



of the globe ; that enormous chains of mountains, 

 which seem to load the surface of the earth, are vast 

 monuments in which these remains of former ages are 

 entombed; that, though lying thus crushed together, 

 in a rude and confused mass, they are hourly suffering 

 those changes, by which, after thousands of years, they 

 become the chief constituent parts of gems, — the lime- 

 stone which forms the humble cottage of the peasant, 

 — or the marble which adorns the splendid palace of 

 the prince." From the connected examination of fos- 

 sils, and of the strata which contain them, much 

 valuable information may be expected to be obtained 

 respecting situations in which useful substances may 

 be found. 



To trace the structure, and investigate the uses, of 

 animals which inhabit shells, is not the least amusing 

 and instructive part of the study of Conchology. As 

 the Almighty has formed nothing in vain, these crea- 

 tures, so low in the scale of being, must have particular 

 uses allotted them in the plan of creation. 



Conchology has ever been a favourite pursuit, from 

 the beauty and elegant structure of shells, and the 

 ease with which they can be preserved. 



The method of Lamarck, the father of modern Con- 

 chology, is the basis of the following pages ; only that, 

 instead of describing the lowest or least organized beings 

 first, as he has done, we have pursued the descending 



