preface* 



JlUE intention of the follozring work is to lay be- 

 fore the student, in the simplest style, the Linnean 

 arrangement of shells. 



The author teas induced to undertake this simple 

 work, because there was no elementary book on shells 

 in the English language, zoith the exception of 

 Da Casta's, whose arrangement is now generally 

 exploded. The work now* presented to the public is 

 strictly according to the Linnean System. 



Several attempts have been made, to overturn the 

 Linnean arrangement of shells, but without effect. 

 And zcith all its pretended faults no one has been 

 able to supercede it, by a better system. That it is 

 not so complete as the other departments, most people 

 are ready to allow; but its beauties must perpetuate 

 its pre-eminence. 



In describing the genera, the author has also 

 pointed out the different alterations of modern ar- 

 rangements, (particularly that of Lamarck;) and 

 the new genera which they have formed. And it has 

 been his object to illustrate the work, as far as it was 

 possible, by figures of British shells; which will 

 facilitate the study of British Testaceology, and 

 prove equally useful to the study of General Con- 

 chologv, 



