INTRODUCTION. XXXV11 



prodigious multitude of testaceous productions, there 

 is not one like what we found, either in Van Dieman's 

 Land, or any of the southern parts of New Holland ; 

 it is not till we approach the equatorial regions that 

 we find any of the Timorian shells. This singular 

 exclusion not only holds good of the species, but 

 may also be observed among the genera : that is, 

 among those whose numerous species seem to have 

 been exclusively attributed to some particular part 

 of the globe. Thus, for example, in the equatorial 

 countries, a multitude of Cones, Olives, Cowries, &c. 

 collect together, which are scarcely known on the 

 colder banks of either hemisphere. Thus while 

 Timor, and its neighbouring islands, abound in 

 beautiful shells, two or three small, obscure species, 

 are all that dare to show themselves in the southern 

 extremity of New Holland. 



