EN VRODUC TION. 
HE object of this little manual is to enable the novice to collect, 
identify, and arrange systematically the various shells—both 
land and freshwater—which abound in almost every part of these 
islands. 
Remembering the difficulties that I at first encountered in identi- 
fying the various species, I have paid special attention to the points of 
difficulty which are likely to present themselves to other beginners. 
To this end I have framed synoptical tables of the differences 
between those species of the Arzons, Vertigos, Pistdia and Hyalinte 
which are most closely allied, and also a table showing the generic 
distinctions between the 4Avrzonzde and the Limacide. 
I have also shown in a tabular form the relations which the 
different classes, orders, and genera bear to one another. 
I have taken as a model the ‘ British Conchology ” of the late 
Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys, but have brought the nomenclature and arrange- 
ment up to date. I am also indebted to Forbes and Hanley’s work, 
to Dr. R. F. Scharff’s ‘Slugs of Ireland,” to the ‘* Journal of Con- 
chology” and many other works; also to many friends and 
correspondents for several facts and hints. 
With the exception of the Pape and Vertigos, which I have my- 
self enlarged from actual specimens, the plates of the shells and some 
of the slugs have been drawn by my brother, Gerald W. Adams, a 
collector like myself. Most of the drawings have been taken from 
shells in my own cabinet, though, here and there, a friend has been 
generous enough to lend me some fine or rare specimen to copy. 
