XIV PREFACE. 



tend the engaging study of natural his- 

 tory in all its branches ; for it is, surely, 

 more easy to remember a well-defined term, 

 though it be new to the ear^ than to dis- 

 cover the exact meaning of one which is 

 capable of a diversity of explanations. 



Of the Plates it need only be said, that 

 they are all, without any exception, drawn 

 from Nature, and as accurately as an unin- 

 structed hand could, with much care, ac- 

 complish. They are intended to illustrate 

 the Jbrms of every natural subdivision of 

 each genus, and will admit of being co- 

 loured by the student in conchology, from 

 other specimens, either as an embellish- 

 ment, or as a very beneficial exercise to- 

 wards acquiring a more intimate know* 

 ledge of this peculiar science. 



