t 10 ] 



lover of this fubject will thus be enabled to arrange a cabinet of fhells with facility and 

 precifion, and quickly become an adept in this pleafing and elegant ftudy. May he 

 alfo, without incurring the imputation of vanity, be permitted to intimate, that many 

 other and very important advantages to the fcience of Conchology will probably refult 

 from this publication ? One at leaft cannot but be immediately obvious, that the prefent 

 undertaking will contain the moft lively reprefentation of many rare and unique fhells, 

 which no labour nor coft can ever reafonably hope to arTemble in one cabinet. 



And here the Author begs permiffion to mention, as a tribute of juftice to the 

 liberality of the pofTefTors, the feveral collections in this kingdom to which he is 

 indebted for fome of the more beautiful fubjects in thefe volumes. 



Among thefe, the nrft praife is confeffedly due to the fuperb collection of the 

 Dutchefs Dowager of Portland ; fo rich a difplay in the number as well as rarity and 

 perfection of thefe fubjects, together with every other fpecies of marine productions, 

 perhaps is not to be equalled. In this branch of fcience her Grace's fuperior knowledge 

 is as well known as it is eminently demonftrated, in the critical arrangement of this 

 immenfe cabinet ; which altogether juflifies the very great expenfe of time and money 

 employed in the formation of it. 



Should we attempt to give an adequate idea of the noble collection of Shells formed 

 by the Right Honourable the Countefs of Bute, it would require a detail far exceeding 

 the limits of the prefent plan; it is fufficient to fay, that almoit every thing requifite to 

 conftitute a perfect cabinet is found in this, and that in the diftribution of the contents 

 order and elegance are happily united. 



Few ladies have fludied more attentively, or fucceeded more happily in this branch, 

 than Mifs Fordyce*, as every fubject in her truly capital collection is a proof of that 

 peculiar care and difcernment requifite to form fo rich a fuite of Shells, including fome 

 unique, and many others of the fcarceft fpecies. The whole are clarTed and arranged 

 with the moft critical judgment and elegant taite, affording at the fame time inftruction 

 and delight. 



Mrs. Heron -f* has made a confiderable progrefs towards forming an excellent 

 afTortment of Shells. So laudable a beginning, together with a happy turn which this 

 lady pofTefTes for this pleafing ftudy, prefages the accomplifhment of a very refpectable 

 cabinet. 



* Daughter of Dr. George Fordyce, of Eflex Street, Strand. 



f Wife of Thomas Heron, Efq. of Chilham Cattle, near Canterbury. 



Mrs. 



