45 



the places where he is most likely to discover 

 fine and rare shells. I shall now conclude this 

 part of my subject in his own language^ advis- 

 ing him to keep a good look out. 



THE Science of Conchology was scarcely 

 known in this country thirty years ago. For- 

 merly the Dutch and the French, masters of 



those seas where the finest shells abound, form- 



/ 



ed the only collections of importance; from 



which the immortal Linnaeus derived the ma- 

 terials for his excellent system. To the intro- 

 duction of this elegant branch of natural history 

 into Great Britain, we are principally indebted 

 to the late Duchess of Portland, who became 

 its patroness : many of the rarest shells extant 

 have adorned her Grace's cabinet. Since that 

 period our fair country-women, whose solicita- 



