PREFACE. IX 



The land and fresh-water kinds will in all situ- 

 ations present themselves. In hedges and ditches; 

 in streams and stagnant waters ; in the crevices of 

 rocks and old walls ; in the clefts of the bark and 

 at the roots of trees; in arid plains and upland 

 meadows, after the grass has been mown ; in woods 

 and marshes, and on mountains ; under stones and 

 fallen timber ; on the leaves and at the roots of 

 plants ; and under the top stones of the loftiest 

 buildings. 



To assist his pursuits in the accomplishment of 

 these ends, it will be necessary to be provided with 

 a small conchological apparatus, easily portable. 

 A chisel and hammer ; a knife and a saw ; boxes 

 and bags for the preservation of minute species ; 

 a pocket magnifier, with two or three powers ; a 

 spoon, such as is described in Brown's Elements, 

 five inches long and three and a half wide, of an 

 oval shape, with a rim about an inch in height, 

 and a hollow handle by which it may be put on 

 and taken off the end of a stick or umbrella: this 

 implement is well adapted for the collection of 

 fresh-water shells, and sifting fine sand. 



Live shells are always preferable to dead ones : 

 and the animals of the spiral kind may be easily 

 removed, by putting them first into hot water and 

 afterwards into cold to diminish their bulk, when 

 they may be carefully removed by a pin or other 

 pointed instrument. Sea shells may be soaked in 

 fresh water for a night,, to dissolve any salt particles 

 which might corrode them. Before they are placed 

 in the cabinet, wash them well with a small brush 

 in soap and water } and if a polish be necessary, 

 b 3 two 



