INTRODUCTION. 
3 
oceanic shells, still we experience a more exalted 
sensation, an inexpressible feeling of surprise and 
wonder, when we reflect upon the apparently in- 
adequate and helpless agents by which these regu- 
lar conformations and highly penciled domiciles are 
wrought. We perceive, at once, that one part, per- 
haps the chief object, of their destiny is to teach 
mankind how far superior the humblest worm, when 
directed in its instinct by infinite and eternal Wis- 
dom, can rise above the boasted ingenuity of that 
‘ proud and self-sufficient creature, who is permitted 
to have dominion over the works of nature. 
The names will be given, in the Catalogue of 
Authors, of those who have particularly devoted 
themselves to the study of the animals, and to their 
anatomical construction. Some have endeavoured 
to found a system of Conchology upon the inha- 
bitant rather than upon the shell. This plan 
has indeed generally been acknowledged as theo- 
retically just, but as uniformly discovered to be 
defective in the execution, on account of the utter 
impossibility of procuring, from the unfathom- 
able recesses in which many, if not the majority. 
