INTRODUCTION 



leaf of a book, in order that both sides of the shell 

 may be seen. Sometimes collections are placed on 

 cotton wool in a series of cardboard trays. Perhaps 

 the most satisfactory method is to affix the shells to 

 cedar or mahogany tablets (covered with stone- 

 coloured paper), \ of an inch in thickness and 3^ 

 inches in width ; in the first instance the tablets should 

 be cut into lengths to fit the drawers or boxes, and 

 afterwards sawn across into various sizes to suit the 

 specimens. It is advisable, when space will admit of it, 

 to have a series of examples ; at all events there should, 

 if possible, never be less than two specimens of each 

 species, one of them being fixed to the tablet with 

 the mouth upwards and the other the contrary way. 

 I advise the reader, in arranging his collection, to 

 follow the method and nomenclature adopted in this 

 volume ; it is that of Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys, our highest 

 authority upon British Conchology. Lists, printed on 

 one side only, of all the species and varieties of the 

 British land and fresh-water shells, can be obtained at 

 a trifling cost; those published by Messrs. Taylor 

 Brothers, at the office of the ' Journal of Conchology,' 

 9, Wade Street, Leeds, will answer the purpose ; they 

 are sent post free at the rate of \\d. each, or gd. per 

 dozen. The name of each species and variety should 

 be firmly fastened with gum (at the end of the 

 series) to the lower edge of the tablet, on the left, and 

 the locality, neatly written on a strip of cardboard or 

 paper, on the right. It is advisable to mount minute 

 shells, especially those which are of a white or pale 

 colour, upon a neatly cut strip of black paper which is 

 to be attached, in its proper place, to the tablet 



