f 6 ] 



attempt at a new and approved arrangement, which to his conviction appeared indifpenfably 

 neceffary : however, if he mail be thought to have been equally unfuccefsful as more 

 celebrated names who have preceded him, his prefent undertaking will at leaft have this 

 recommendation, that, without prejudice to the work itfelf, his plan may be either 

 adopted or rejected, according to the inclination of different collectors, and the fubjects 

 be difpofed at pleafure, whether by this or. any other fyftem. 



With a view to obtain thefe deferable purpofes in the following work, a feries of 

 plates will be given, fucceffively exhibiting every known fhell ; a fpeclacle equally novel 

 and magnificent ! The long defcriptions and details of the generation and properties of 

 Shells, given by moft writers on Conchology, are wholly omitted here ; and the utmoft 

 care has been taken that each figure, by being an exact and faithful tranfcript from 

 nature, fhall be fufhciently explanatory of the fubject which it reprefents. 



As a further illuftration, an explanatory table will be given, mewing in different 

 columns, firft, the number referring to each figure in the order of its fucceffion; Secondly, 

 the Engliih name and family, with an initial letter denoting the genus, or division 

 of that family, to which the fliell belongs, according to the fyftem of the author; 

 Thirdly, the Latin name; Fourthly, where the fhell is found; And, laftly, in what 

 cabinet it is preferved. 



The work will commence with the figures of the fhells (moil of them rare and 

 non-defcript) that have been collected by the feveral officers of the mips under the 

 command of Captains Byron, Wallace, Cook, and others, in the different voyages made 

 to the South Seas. The whole of which will be contained in two volumes. 



Correct drawings of fhells fuppofed unique, or at lean: of very rare fpecies, are 

 earneftly folicited from collectors in all parts of the world, and will appear in this work 

 in order as they fhall be feverally received*. 



The number of plates given with each volume will probably vary, according as the 

 figures may happen to be larger or fmaller than common, as well as in confequence of 

 the extraordinary finifhing requifite for fome, or of other contingent circumflances. 



* This requeft particularly relates to thofe new fhells which have been collecled by foreign circum-navigators 

 in different voyages to the South Seas fince the year 1764, and which are now diftributed in various cabinets 

 abroad. Correct copies of thefe the author refpeclfully defires may be fent to him, in order to enrich the fuite 

 of thefe particular fhells in this repofitory. 



Additions 



