

PREFACE. 



The object of the present work is to furnish the ' Collector of 

 Shells ' with a methodical arrangement and enumeration of species, 

 accompanied by a popular summary of those grand truths in the 

 physiological history of the MoUusca, which have been elicited 

 from the investigations of recent travellers ; to enunciate the 

 habits and organic peculiarities of this mystic tribe of animals 

 by a careful system of generalization ; and to lead him to medi- 

 tate, whilst pondering over the treasures of his cabinet, upon the 

 nature and zoological affinity of those imperishable records of 

 existence he so delights to contemplate. 



It is not the author's intention to treat of the anatomy of the 

 Mollusca in detail, because he cannot boast of sufficient practical 

 acquaintance vnth the dissecting-knife to enable him to undertake 

 it with satisfaction ; for that department of their natiu-al history 

 he must refer the student to the writings of those authors whose 

 professional skill and education have better fitted them for the 

 task. It is intended to treat of the external form, and of the 

 more prominent featm^es of organization ; and especially such as 

 tend to elucidate pecuharities of habit or the characters selected 

 for their generic arrangement. 



For drawings of the living mollusks the author will have 

 recourse to those invaluable records of zoological discovery 



