INTRODUCTION. 
THE science of Conchology, delightful as it is, affords an 
instructive amusement for the leisure hours of those, who, 
retiring from the gaities of fashionable life, find their plea- 
sure in the quiet contemplation of some of the smaller, but 
not the less wonderful operations of creative wisdom. And 
although the study of shells would be more complete, and 
rank higher in the scale of philosophical pursuits, were it 
accompanied by that of the animals inhabiting them, it still 
presents a fund of intellectual gratification, to many who 
cannot follow it beyond the cabinet and boudoir. They 
may examine, with admiration and mental improvement, the 
beautiful colouring and exquisite architecture of these 
' wonders of the deep, and looking to the great Author of 
all, exclaim with an inspired naturalist, “‘ Lo! these are 
parts of his ways.” 
It is but little that can be known of the science, without 
forming a collection of greater or less extent; for, as it 
would be uninstructive merely to delight the senses by ad- 
miring the bright colours and elegant forms of a few shells, 
without obtaining any information respecting them, so it 
would be insipid to learn technicalities, without being ac- 
quainted, by observation, with the objects which they de- 
scribe. We will, therefore,endeavour to direct the learner 
to the easiest method of studying the subject, proceeding 
upon the supposition, that he possesses asmall parcel of 
shells without any previous knowledge of the science. 
