VI. 



It was not witliout considerable hesitation that the systematic arrangement was chosen 

 in preference to the stratigraphical. An attentive consideration led to the adoption of the 

 former, as its advantage appeared two-fold. Fii'st, it seemed evident that it was more easy to 

 identify individuals by comparison vnth. the plates, where the species were placed in juxta- 

 position, than when scattered through the various strata of which they were members. Secondly, 

 as many of the species prevailed in different formations, had the stratigraphical distribution 

 been adopted, a repetition of these would have been requisite, which would have considerably 

 extended the number of the plates, and consequently increased the expense of the work, both of 

 which the Author was most studious to avoid ; his object beiag to produce a work, executed in 

 a high style of art, at the lowest possible price, so that it might become more extensively 

 useful. 



It will be seen by comparing the Gxst four plates, (which were the specimen of the work,) 

 with most of the others which foUow, that a very great additional quantity of Avork has 

 been given, as well as improvement ia the style of execution, without increase in the charge 

 for the publication. 



The classification followed is that of the celebrated Malacologist Lamarck, according to 

 the descenduig scale, with the addition of such neAV genera, and sHght deviations from his 

 system, as time, and a more minute knoAvledge of families and species, has rendered necessary. 



The Illustrations of "Fossil Conchology," with its sister work, "Illustrations of the 

 Recent Conchology of Great Britain and Ireland," wUl be fovmd to embrace pretty full 

 representations, descriptions, and localities, of aU the kno-\\Ti species, both fossil and recent, 

 Avhich have liitherto been met with in the strata, seas, land, and fresh waters, of the British 

 Islands. These have been engraved by artists of established reputation ; the names of Lizars, 

 Aikman, JMiller, Turvey, &c., being well-knoAvn to the pubhc as men of celebrity. The whole 

 of the engravings have been executed from drawings made by the Author expressly for the work, 

 and amount to 116 plates, comprehending 3,521 figures. 



