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O f 



PREFACE. 



IN presenting to the public the third American 

 Edition of this pleasing and popular little work, the 

 Publisher would only refer to the success with 

 which it has met both in England and in this coun- 

 try, where it has been very generally adopted as 

 the best introduction to the study of shells. The 

 author (C. Mayo, Esq., of Surrey, Eng.) is well 

 known for several publications of a similar charac- 

 ter, which have been received with equal favor. 

 The following is an extract from his preface to the 

 present work. 



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 cha- 

 racteristics are simple and present themselves rea- 

 dily to the eye, and a variety of interesting infor- 

 mation may be given respecting the animals which 

 inhabit them. Added to this, the greater part of the 

 specimens may be procured at little expense, 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 stanch 

 anti-reformers in education, that improve the mode 

 of teaching Natural History as you will, you but 



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