[ M ] 



Such then is the plan and general outline of the prefent work, and fuch are the 

 fources from which the author has drawn what little affiftance he has received in his 

 attempt. For a more particular hiftory of the fubje&s of Conchology, and of the 

 animals which inhabit Shells, he wifhes to refer to many voluminous treatifes on thefe 

 branches of natural hiftory published at different periods in various parts of Europe; 

 fuch as thofe of Buonanni, Lifter, D'Argenville, Gualteri, Seba, Regenfus, Knorr, 

 Baron Born, &c. Of thefe, however, he has not been able in any degree to avail 

 himfelf, from the total diffimilarity in his method; for thus far he has already 

 ventured, and means to proceed in every ftage of this comprehenfive defign folely on his 

 own ideas; nor can he be perfuaded to fuppofe himfelf altogether wrong when he 

 recollects the fanclion which this performance has already received from the 

 approbation of many noble and learned perfons, and more particularly of Sir Jofeph 

 Banks ; a fanciion too given in a manner the moft nattering. And if to thefe 

 teftimonies in his favour, he mail now be fo fortunate as to join the Patronage of the 

 Public at large, it will be his firft pride, by a continuance of his moft diligent exertions, 

 to complete for his own reputation, and the fatisfaction of all lovers of Conchology, 

 This Laborious, JLxpenfive, and Arduous Undertaking. 



*^* On the completion of this work will be publifhed, in eight volumes quarto y Engravings 

 taken from the performance now offered to the public, exhibiting every known Shell; the 

 whole arranged in their re/pecJive clajfes, families, and genera, according to the Jyflem of 

 the author. Complete defcriptions of each individual will likewife be added in the 

 explanatory tables. 



