ADVERTISEMENT. iii 



specifications : where no such acknowledgment 

 appears with the reference to a figure, it may be 

 presumed that the subject belongs to the author. 

 It is designed, in the course of the publication, to 

 describe every species of shell, and to figure all the 

 most prominent, as well as those striking varieties 

 which are liable to mislead the Naturalist, and 

 create confusion by causing an improper multipli- 

 cation of species 



The errors of Gmelin which are numerous, and 

 his synonyms which are often wrong, have been 

 noticed and corrected. No transcriptions whatever 

 have been made upon trust, but all references very 

 carefully examined, and many of doubtful autho- 

 rity rejected. This part of his plan it would have 

 been vain for the author to have attempted without 

 particular aid, without a library of reference fully 

 adequate to the purpose intended to be fulfilled. 

 That such a library exists, and that such aid is 

 most liberally afforded to those who desire it, no 

 one need be ignorant who has heard the name of 

 Sir Joseph Banks. 



There have not been wanting those who have 

 objected against collecting of shells as a trifling and 

 useless employment ; but let them recollect that all 

 utility is comparative, and that no desire after what 

 is curious, unless it be suffered to absorb more im- 

 portant considerations, ought to be suppressed. A 

 great part of our time is but too apt to be wasted, 

 and therefore any pursuit is commendable that fur- 

 nishes a rational amusement for that portion of 



