INTRODUCTORY 



OBSERVATIONS. 



On tlie oorasioii dl" oi)ciiii)^ for ]ml)lif inspection tlie 

 matchless and celebrated Collectiou of Shells formed 

 with such exquisite judgment and taste by the late 

 Earl of Tankerville, and now confided to me by his 

 Lordshij»'s executors, for sale, some explanation of 

 the particular object in view, and of the manner in 

 which we intend to proceed, may appear to be 

 necessary. 



This Collection having^ been left by his Lordship 

 to his executors for .sale, it became a subject of re- 

 gret to many who in common with ourselves are 

 well-wishers to science, (and who see a greater pro- 

 hability of its being made scientifically useful by its 

 being preserved entire than if sold in detail) that so 

 noble a collection should be ultimately dispersed. 

 Several plans have therefore been devised for pre- 

 serving at least the important part of the Collection 

 entire, none of which have, however, as yet been 

 fortunate in their issue. I have tlierefore deter- 

 mined, having first made a Catalogue, to open the 

 Collection for public inspection, in ordei" that a just 

 estinuite may be formed of its real merits ; in the 

 mean time the duplicates are ofiercd to the Public at 



