PREFACE 



T N completing the First Volume of '• The Conchologist," we beg to thank the contributors 

 and supporters tiiereto for their kind appreciation and support during the past year. 



Looking back upon the history of conchology for the last twenty-five years, it 

 does not reveal a state of things at all creditable to British conchologists ; but little has 

 been added to our knowledge of the structure or development of the mollusca, and were 

 it not for the researches of two or three biologists, we might almost say nothing had 

 been published on the subject, whereas upwards of twenty works, systematic, &c., have 

 been written, a number of which are but " repetitions of a twice-told tale," and some 

 woefully inaccurate. 



It is much to be regretted that by far the greater number of conchologists (if 

 they are deserving of the name) are little more than mere collectors : the collection 

 and exhibition of shells forming the sum total of their endeavours. Long ago we were 

 told by Miiller that shells had amused us sufficiently, their beauty of colour and form 

 had called forth enough of mere wonder, and that it was high time we left such 

 amusement to children and became men and studied the living inmates, their structure 

 and manners. 



Our object in commencing "The Conchologist" was, and is, to endeavour to 

 raise the interest in and show the importance of the study of the Anatomy, Embryology, 

 Life-History, and Variation of the Mollusca, and to present a medium for the interchange 

 of thought and the promotion of the interests of all students working in these branches 

 of science. With this aim we shall still continue, encouraged by our past success, 

 inviting the continued and hearty support of all who approve of our intentions, sincerely 

 thanking all contributors and supporters, and relying to a large extent upon them to 

 make Volume IL even more successful than its predecessor. 



VV. E. C. 

 St. Andrews, N.B. 



