PREFACE. vii 



on Shells,' will consist principally in the im- 

 proved faculty of observing natural features, in 

 the possession and command of a small voca- 

 bulary of scientific terms, in the habit of 

 classification, and in tlie practice of giving a 

 written summary of the knowledge acquired. 



Several circumstances concur to recommend 

 conchology as the first branch of Natural 

 History to be studied by younger pupils. 

 Shells are of themselves interesting, from the 

 peculiarity of their forms and the variety of 

 their colours ; their characteristics are simple 

 and present themselves readily to the eye, and 

 a variety of interesting information may be given 

 respecting the animals which inhabit them. 

 Added to this the greater part of the specimens 

 may be procured at little expence, may be 

 easily preserved, and therefore continually re- 

 produced to the class, and besides may, without 

 fear of damage, be committed to the careless 

 hands of the youngest students. 



It will however, I know, be objected by 

 staunch anti-reformers in education, that im- 

 prove the mode of teaching Natural History 

 as you will, you but teach better that, which 

 had better not be taught at all ; for that 

 whatever abridges the time given to classical 

 instruction, weakens the nerves and sinews of 

 the mind, and but debases the Corinthian 



