8 



INTRODUCTION. 



course of his studies he should be fortunate enough to 

 obtain any hitherto undiscovered genus, species, or va- 

 riety, he would do well to provide such an accurate de- 

 scription and drawing, as would, by submitting them to 

 the opinion and judgment of the scientific, confirm him 

 in the correctness of his own conclusions, and tend to 

 promote the general advancement of concliological know- 

 ledge 



THE METHODS OF PRESERVING AND CLEANING SHELLS. 



If the shell contains the animal alive, it will be neces- 

 sary to immerse it in boiling water for a few minutes; 

 then plunge it into cold water, which will cause the ani- 

 mal to contract, and render it more easy to be extract- 

 ed: crooked pins, and other sharp instruments, are some- 

 times required to effect a perfect extraction. 



If a large quantity of shells is to be cleaned, dissolve 

 half a pound of potash, and half a pound of soft soap, in 

 two quarts of boiling water; stir the solution until all the 

 particles are dissolved, and then pour it warm over the 

 shells; let them remain in this liquid two or three days, 

 frequently warming it, and pouring it over them. After 

 this process, wash them well with a brush in warm water; 

 and when dry, rub them with a nail brush, until they 

 have received a sufficient polish. This method may be 

 adopted with all smooth shells, such as olives, cowries, 

 cones, &c. 



Rugged shells generally require a different process from 

 the preceding, though it is advisable to try that method 

 first. But if they arc covered with adhesions, or the epi^ 



