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N () r 1 c i:. 



The artist and proprietor feels unwilling to jirescnt this 

 series of Illustrations to the scientific public, without taking 

 advantage of the opportunity afforded by its completion, to 

 acknow'lcdge his obligations for the support he has received. 

 During the periodical issue of the parts, he has expeiienced 

 the utmost kindness and attention from collectors, who have 

 materially assisted him by throwing open their cabinets for 

 his inspection, and by freely allowing him the use of their 

 new and rare shells. He has also enjoyed a degree of patro- 

 nage in the sale of the parts, which, although not amounting 

 to a remuneration for the labour, has sufliced to meet the 

 pecuniary expenses attending their production, and also to 

 afford the prospect of ultimate advantage The 1,500 figures 

 contained in the work, represent 1 ,000 new species and 

 varieties of 21 different Genera, and include all the species 

 of Cyprsea, Chilina,Neritina, Margarita, Eulima, and Typhis. 

 The catalogues embrace 19 Genera, and contain a refer- 

 ence to the description and to the best figure of each species, 

 as far as could be known, up to the date of their publication. 

 Those which were published in the earlier part of the work 

 are from the pen of Mr. G. B. Sowcrby, Sen. For the four 

 last, viz. — those of Chiton, Cardium, Murex, and Typhis, 

 a younger and less experienced conchologist must be held 

 responsible. With regard to the whole of them, it is hoped 

 that although some errors and imperfections must have 

 occurred, they will yet be found to present as complete and 

 perfect accounts of the Genera of which they treat as could 

 be expected, considering the intricacies and difficulties of the 





