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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 It will be 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. However, we need not concern ourselves further with these verbal idiosyncracies, but proceed forthwith to the consideration of our shells.

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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.