I- 1 

 TO THE READER. 



THE following chapters, entitled " Eambles in 

 Search of Shells," were originally published in the 

 Natural History columns of " The Field," during 

 the autumn of 1873 and the spring of 1874, and, 

 judging by the inquiries which have since been made 

 for a reprint, they appear to have found some little 

 favour with naturalists. 



Through the courtesy of the Proprietors of " The 

 Field," to whom the Author here desires to express 

 Iris obligations, these chapters are now republished, 

 with some important additions and emendations, 

 and with a series of coloured plates, which it is 

 believed will materially assist the reader in the 

 determination of the species mentioned or referred 

 to in the course of the volume. 



In penning these chapters, the Author has essayed 

 to impart a little practical information on the subject 

 of British land and freshwater shells without being 

 too technical or systematic. Minute descriptions of 

 form and colour have been avoided, as tending rather 



