PREFACE. 



The following pages, compiled chiefly from the writings of 

 Mr. Reeve, treat not so much of shells, as of their animal oc- 

 cupants ; and this is desirable, because shells are too often 

 regarded as merely objects of ornament or of fancy. Owing 

 to the retired habits of the Mollusca, and to their soft and 

 perishable nature, Conchology has but slowly advanced in 

 the true spirit of a science. Considerable additions have, 

 however, been made to our knowledge of the animals by 

 drawings taken of them of late years in a living state, and 

 a sufficient number and variety of typical kinds have been 

 examined to afi'ord a tolerably ample view of the whole. 

 Although a very large proportion of the Mollusca are 



