The merit of Novelty, no publication on these particular shells 

 having yet appeared. This alone might be sufficient to insure 

 its success, as a supplement to the treatises of Lister and others. 

 The Author, however, takes this opportunity of intimating, that 

 he wishes this essay rather to he considered as the first part 

 of an undertaking much more extensive, that of illustrating the 

 whole system of Conchology, in the same superior style of 

 accuracy and elegance. This superiority will best appear by 

 comparing this Publication with all others extant, in this or any 

 other branch of Natural History. The drawings are minutely correct 

 and adapted to a scale, formed on an attentive observation of the 

 more perfect specimens in the principal cabinets of this kingdom: 

 the engraving consists merely of a delicate outline, as a certain 

 guide for the relative proportions of the parts; to this the utmost 

 skill and labour of the Painter is added, in order to produce from 

 the whole the full effect of that beautiful contour, rich 

 colouring, and bold relief, which the subject so peculiarly 

 demands, and which the art of painting alone can properly supply; 

 while the exact and lively representation of Nature in the size, 

 shape, mouth, extremities, convolutions, and various colours of 

 the different shells thus exhibited, at the same time answers 

 every purpose of science, and in some sort renders the present 

 Work truly worthy the appellation of a school for this pleasing 

 branch of Natural History. 



Sold at the Author's Academy for painting Natural History, 

 No 16, Great Marlborough Street, London, 1787. 



As the four first Volumes of this Undertaking form of 

 themselves a distinct Work, and as such may be preferred by 

 some Persons; an additional Title-Page is therefore added for 

 such "Purpose, leaving the other Title-Page to be removed at 

 e Discretion of the Purchaser. 



