PREFACE. 
The vast abundance of fossil shells which characterize the 
Tertiary formations throughout the world, render it necessary 
to devote particular works to their elucidation, in which accu- 
rate figures may enable us to study and compare them under 
every variety of geographical distribution. 
In Europe, they have received that attention they so emi- 
nently deserve in a Geological point of view, and particularly 
those of the environs of Paris have been accurately figured and 
described by M. Deshayes, and Sowerby’s work on the British 
fossil Testacea has proved an invaluable assistant to inquirers 
into the history of European formations. Various memoirs on 
subjects connected with Geology constantly appear in the 
journals of the day in Europe, replete with interesting details, 
and illustrated by excellent figures of organic remains, serving 
to shew and to excite still more the eager curiosity which daily 
adds new votaries to this fascinating science. To endeavour 
to awaken in this country the same laudable zeal for extend- 
ing the boundaries of scientific enquiry, I have undertaken to 
condense within narrow limits, the history of our numerous 
species of Tertiary fossils, not doubting that sufficient encou- 
ragement will be extended to a publication like the present, as 
works of reference are absolutely necessary, and certainly 
the details are more valuable in this condensed form, than when 
scattered through one, or as generally happens, various miscel- 
laneous and voluminous journals. 
The fossil shells of the older Secondary rocks are numerous 
and very important, and it is my intention to publish them on 
the conclusion of the present work, if I be not happily antici- 
pated by some abler naturalist. The organic remains of the 
Ferruginous Sand formation have already been illustrated by 
Dr. Morton, who is about to re-publish his essays, with much 
additional information and with splendid lithographic figures of 
shells and zoophytes. 
