48 



added to which, since the forming of his classification, several shells have 

 been discovered, possessing characters which will not allow them to be 

 placed under any of his genera. The latter circumstance has indeed 

 taken place to such an extent with respect to fossil shells, as to have 

 rendered the formation of a new classification absolutely necessary. 



This task the celebrated Lamarck has accomplished, with such inge- 

 nuity and care, as to give him a strong claim on the gratitude of every 

 lover of science : and, as was exceedingly desirable, he has, by his clas- 

 sification, secured the admission of all those shells which are found in a 

 mineralized state*. 



The genius and accompanying zeal, possessed by this philosopher, has 

 led him fully to avail himself of every opportunity of extending his obser- 

 vations; and, happity for science, these opportunities have been afforded 

 him in a most singular degree. His situation, as professor of zoology, 

 and particularly in the departments of insects, shells, madrepores, &c. 

 with the superintendance of, and unrestrained access to, the Museum of 

 Natural History, must have furnished him with unparalleled opportu- 

 nities of information. 



The fossil riches of the country too, surrounding Paris, particularly 

 as to shells, exceed those, perhaps, of any other tract of a similar size. 

 At Courtagnon, near Rheims, an enormous bank of fossil shells is open, 

 in different parts ; among which are very few that were known, or that 

 had been described, until they had been subjected to the examination 

 of Lamarck. At Grignon, about seven leagues from Paris, fossil shells 

 are so exceedingly abundant, that M. Defrance, by his indefatigable 

 industry, has collected at least five hundred distinct species, more 

 than three fourths of which have never been before described. These 

 fossil shells, discovered by M. Defrance, are most correctly copied, 

 under the directions of the professors of natural history, and the drawings 

 are carefully preserved in the Museum, for the purpose of ready exa- 

 mination. 



* This part of Lamarck's labours commences in Les Annales du Museum tfllistoire 

 Naturdlt) Tomei. p. 308, and is continued through the succeeding volumes. 



