Sea Shells 
of New Zealand 
of labelling, reminds me that the amateur should be quite 
as careful to record the locality of his specimens as he is 
in getting the correct name; otherwise he may find his 
collection will possess little scientific value. It will be 
noticed that I adhere to the old term Conchology, instead 
of Malacology, as both words have precisely the same 
meaning (vide Webster, Nuttall, and others), and include 
the study of the animals, as well as of the shells they 
inhabit. ; 
Without wishing to detract in the slightest degree from 
the painstaking and scientific accuracy of the conchologists, 
deserving as it is of the highest praise, one cannot peruse 
their works without being forcibly reminded of the amazed 
rustics in the “Deserted Village” when the parson and the 
schoolmaster engaged in their controversial bouts. Even 
the colours of the shells are labelled with obsolete and 
awkward terms. Who but Dr. Dryasdust would speak of 
rufous, fulvous and luteous when reddish, tawny-yellow, 
and clay-coloured serve the same purpose equally as well, 
and, moreover, are good old English besides? With the 
use of simple Anglo-Saxon words, such as Shakespeare and 
John Bunyan used, one could graphically depict a gorgeous 
sunset by Turner, and do justice to a glowing Cuyp. How- 
ever, we need not concern ourselves further with these 
verbal idiosyncracies, but proceed forthwith to the con- 
sideration of our shells. 
Before reading the text of this book, be sure to study 
the diagrams illustrating the terms applied to univalves and 
bivalves, and do not fail to refer to the glossary when you 
come across a word unfamiliar to you, and not explained 
in the letterpress. 
