4 ADVERTISEMENT. 



correctness of drawing and a gaudiness of colouring, that renders the eye often 

 incapable of recognising a well-known shell. The plates, also, from being but 

 slightly etched, and afterwards finished in body colours (which leaves so much to 

 those who perform the mechanical process of colouring), are so unequal, that 

 scarcely two copies will be found of the same subject that are alike ; an imperfection, 

 which, although it may lessen the appearance of the present work in the eyes of 

 many, has been carefully avoided, by finishing the plates in water-colours only, and 

 engraving in a decided manner all such delicate characters as belong to the species, 

 instead of leaving them to be put in by the uncertain ability of those who colour. 



A few words may appear necessary on the general intention of this work, which 

 is simply that of bringing together a selection of the most rare, undescribed, and 

 beautiful Shells that can be procured ; and although, in pursuing this plan, figures 

 of many will be given that are already scattered in the works of the last age, their 

 representations in general are so imperfect, that few, it is hoped, will regret the re- 

 petition. All the drawings are original, and executed by the author on stone ; and 

 the letter-press is so contrived, that at the termination of the work the whole will 

 present a scientific arrangement. 



With every endeavour to attain some degree of excellency, the author is fully 

 aware that numerous defects may be discovered in his delineations. Nevertheless, 

 the undertaking has been commenced under the primary wish of inducing others, 

 more competent than himself, to rescue this branch of the Fine Arts from the neglect 

 i t has hitherto experienced, and at the same time to stimulate as much as possible 

 the increasing taste now manifested (particularly among the gentler sex) for a pur- 

 suit, wliich, while it brings together some of the most lovely of Nature's productions, 

 has furnished materials for deep and philosophic inquiry, not only into the nature 

 and economy of organized beings, but also into the formation of the planet which we 

 inhabit. 



ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



But few words are requisite to preface the second edition of the Exotic Con- 

 chology. Mr. Swainson on quitting England having left this beautiful work in an 

 unfinished condition, to me has been committed the task of reducing the whole into 

 systematic arrangement, of drawing up descriptions of species, and adding such 

 synomyms as the advanced state of Conchological knowledge might require. This 

 charge to the best of my power I have fulfilled, adopting that system of classification, 

 to the establishment and elucidation of which so many years of the author's lifetime 

 have been devoted. S. H. 



