ii ADVERTISEMENT. 



but when those works are steadily contemplated, 

 there is a feeling superadded which makes the de- 

 light more permanent, for all of them mock the 

 imitative power of man, and bear evidences of om- 

 niscience which no sophistry can shake, no argu- 

 ment can overturn. 



Conchology considered in this view, requires no- 

 thing more to excite curiosity or command atten- 

 tion. Its varied subjects exhibit a richness of co- 

 louring and diversity of form, not to be exceeded by 

 any other class of natural beings ; and its numerous 

 productions, when collected with care and arranged 

 in order, will afford the possessor a gratifying source 

 of instruction and amusement. 



It will be proper, before we proceed to the im- 

 mediate object of the work, to notice that the ar- 

 rangement which the author has pursued, in order 

 to render it acceptable to the scientific Naturalist, 

 is strictly Linnaean. All systems built upon artifi- 

 cial principles must be liable to objections, and such 

 is the system of Linnaeus. But as, notwithstanding 

 the attempts which have been made to form a more 

 perfect arrangement, the structure raised by the 

 great Swedish Naturalist still remains unshaken, 

 we cannot do better than adhere to those rules 

 which his authority has sanctioned. 



The plates which accompany this work, will be 

 accurately drawn and engraved from specimens 

 only, and the possessors of the shells, to whose 

 liberality the author has been indebted for their use, 

 will be acknowledged at the head of their respective 



