PREFACE. 



.The vast abundance of fossil shells which characterize the 

 Tertiary formations throughout the world, render it necessary 

 to devote particular works to their elucidation, in which accu- 

 rate figures may enable us to study and compare them under 

 every variety of geographical distribution. 



In Europe, they have received that attention they so emi- 

 nently deserve in a Geological point of view, and particularly 

 those of the environs of Paris have been accurately figured and 

 described by M. Deshayes, and Sowerby's work on the British 

 fossil Testacea has proved an invaluable assistant to inquirers 

 into the history of European formations. Various memoirs on 

 subjects connected with Geology constantly appear in the 

 journals of the day in Europe, replete with interesting details, 

 and illustrated by excellent figures of organic remains, serving 

 to shew and to excite still more the eager curiosity which daily 

 adds new votaries to this fascinating science. To endeavour 

 to awaken in this country the same laudable zeal for extend- 

 ing the boundaries of scientific inquiry, I have undertaken to 

 condense within narrow limits, the history of our numerous 

 species of Tertiary fossils, not doubting that sufficient encou- 

 ragement will be extended to a publication like the present, as 

 works of reference are absolutely necessary, and certainly 

 the details are more valuable in this condensed form, than when 

 scattered through one, or as generally happens, various miscel- 

 laneous and voluminous journals. 



The fossil shells of the older Secondary rocks are numerous 

 and very important, and it is my intention to publish them on 

 the conclusion of the present work, if I be not happily antici- 

 pated by some abler naturalist. The organic remains of the 

 Ferruginous Sand formation have already been illustrated by 

 Dr. Morton, who is about to republish his essays, with much 

 additional information and with splendid lithographic figures of 

 shells and zoophytes. 



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