LECTURES ON MOLLUSCA. 



135 



" Manual of Mollusca," that there is scarcely occasion to do more than 

 to refer the reader to his pages. We have followed the plan of Gray 

 and Adams, of free multiplication of families and genera, rather 

 than that of Woodward of only keeping a few leading distinctions, 

 simply because in the actual work of identifying shells we have found 

 it far more convenient ; "but a comparison of all ordinary books with 

 the " Manual" only amazes us more and more at the vast amount of 

 patient investigation, of accumulated facts, and of philosophic judg- 

 ment which its author has condensed into a small volume ; and it is 

 equally surprising how, with all the beautiful engravings and wood- 

 cuts, it can be sold (as it is in London) for $1 32. 



The days are coming when books will be more accessible to students. 

 The contemplated series of text books on American Natural History 

 which the Smithsonian Institution propose to issue will be of essential 

 service. The cheap figures of Chenu will form a portable collection of 

 shells for those who have not access to museums. And to those who 

 cannot obtain even the cheapest of books, there lies, spread out before 

 them, in every stream, in every wood, on every prairie, at every shore, 

 the one grand book of Nature ; ever ancient and yet ever new ; in 

 which the still small voice of its Life-giver is ever inviting us to come 

 unto Him, and learn ; to come unto Him, and labor ; to come unto 

 Him, and rejoice in his boundless love. 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 



