45 
the places where he is most likely to discover 
fine and rare shells. I shall now conclude this 
part of my subject in his own language, advis- 
ing him to keep a good look out. 
THE Science of Conchology was scarcely 
known in this country thirty years ago. For- 
merly the Dutch and the French, masters of 
those seas where the finest shells abound, form- 
ed the only collections of importance; from 
which the immortal Linnzus derived the ma- 
terials for his excellent system. To the intro- 
duction of this elegant branch of natural history 
into Great Britain, we are principally indebted 
to the late Duchess of Poréland, who became 
its patroness: many of the rarest shells extant 
have adorned her Grace’s cabinet. Since that 
period our fair country-women, whose solicita- 
