LISTER. 501 



physiological questions which divided the then medical world 

 afford the fullest proof of his acuteness, judgment, and ex- 

 tensive learning.* His works deserve the attentive perusal 

 of every student in conchology, who will not fail to reap 

 advantage from the task, even though he should go to it 

 acquainted with the subject from recent authorities. 



Lister was a true naturalist, and the first conchologist of 

 decided eminence. His anatomical works show how clearly 

 he understood that the structure of the animals was the main 

 object of our study, its only sure foundation, and its best 

 claim on our attention, but he was also very observant of 

 the habits, instincts, and peculiarities of snail and shell, and 

 was at the same time zealous to acquire an extensive and 

 accurate knowledge of species, to which end he sacrificed 

 much. At his own cost, and with the labour of years, he 

 completed and published a volume of plates, which is the 

 pride of collectors, and is prized to this day for its utility. 

 " His figures," Dr. Maton and the Rev. Mr. Racket tell us, 

 " both in point of number and faithfulness, are with reason 

 still held in such high estimation, that no person attached to 

 this branch of natural history can advance in it without the 

 constant use of them, nor without finding them preferable 

 for reference to many more splendid engravings which have 

 succeeded them." f " This admirable volume," says Dr. 

 Turton, " contains one thousand and fifty-five plates, besides 

 twenty-one of anatomical figures, all drawn from original 

 specimens by his two daughters, Susanna and Anna. Con- 

 sidering the state of natural science at the time this work 

 was first issued, one hundred and thirty-three years since, it 

 is impossible to contemplate this stupendous effort of genius 

 and industry, without admiration at the grandeur of the 

 design, and the correctness of its execution." J 



It was Lister's intention, after the publication of this 

 volume of plates, to have proceeded with an anatomical de- 

 scription of every family or genus in its proper order, if God 

 should grant him life and leisure, but from adverse health he 

 was not permitted to do more than to anatomize the terres- 

 trial slugs and snails, some fresh-water Turbines, one or two 



* His opinions relative to the functions of the liver in Mollusca appear 

 deserving of more attention than they have yet received. See the Exer. 

 Anat. de Cochleis, p. 79, &c. 



t Lin. Trans, vii. 138. 



J Conchological Dictionary, Introd. p. xvi. The edition by Huddesford 

 was published at the expense of the University of Oxford. " Dignum sane 

 viris eruditis gratoque ammo prseditis consilium, seu naturalium rerum stu- 

 diosorum votis satisfacere, sive auctoris cgregii famse et muniricentiee inonu- 

 menta haec renovare et serse posteritati consecrare, volucrint." Prsef. iii. 



