PEEFACE 



The study of Conchology has, by many, been considered I 

 as trifling, and tending to no useful purpose ; but such | 

 an opinion could emanate only from persons ignorant i 

 of its great importance in a geological point of view : | 

 fossil shells, coral, and wood, with other organic re- ' 

 mains, being the only true remaining Medals of i 

 Creation — as Bergman elegantly expresses himself. 

 These often retain the exact figure of their primitive I 

 state. By their aid, therefore, we are enabled to j 

 identify strata, both of the older and more recent 

 formations, that may present themselves to view in 

 different parts of the globe. Few of these fossil species 

 now exist in a living state, most of them having per- 

 ished in the wreck of the former world. " By these 

 medals," says Parkinson, "we are taught, that in- 

 numerable beings have lived, of which not one of the 

 same kind does any longer exist ; that immense beds, 

 composed of the spoils of these animals, extending for 

 many miles under ground, are met with in many parts 



