Viil PREFACE* 



number of which is daily lessening. We may also 

 hope to escape a sort of sneer by another modern 

 writer *, of " indulging ourselves in a conjecture 

 only on plates." 



Such as we have examined in a living state, are 

 marked v . v. (vidimus vivam) ; and those which 

 have been examined in a dead state only, v. m. 

 (vidimus mortucmi)* 



In the figures which accompany this work, it was 

 our wish to have presented all which we had con- 

 sidered as new acquisitions ; but the nature of the 

 intention would in some measure have been frus- 

 trated, by the representation of minute objects; as 

 our design, in this respect, was chiefly explanatory. 



Every species which has hitherto been found in 

 the British Islands, we have thought it proper to 

 record, leaving to individual collectors their own 

 ideas of purity as to patriotal adoption. 



The practical conchologist will make himself 

 acquainted with all the most probable habitats of 

 his object. With dredgers and trawlers he will 

 carefully examine the produce of their toils, even 

 the pieces of perforated rocks or timber which may 

 be brought up. The sea shores ; the under surfaces 

 of loose stones ; the minutest crevices of rocks 

 which may be uncovered at low water; the mouths 

 of rivers and their soils, especially when laid bare 

 by the recess of the tide ; sandy coves and inlets of 

 the ocean ; fine or drifted sand ; sea weeds, with 

 their roots ; all marine refuse ; floating timber, 

 and the bottom of vessels ; and even the stomachs 

 of fish. 



* Maton, Descriptive Catalogue, p. 56. 



The 



