Popular conchology; or, The shell cabinet arranged according to the modern system

Front matter

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Preface

TO

THE SECOND EDITION.

The study of Conchology having made considerable advances within the last few years, the Author takes advantage of a second edition being required, to introduce a more modern arrangement, founded on the Molluscs themselves, instead of on their habitation. Beyond a doubt this is the most natural, and consequently the most scientific method of classifying the subject, the shells being in fact of little comparative importance, when the animals which construct them are philosophically considered ; as they merely serve the purpose of concealment, or afford protection to the more delicate organs of the Mollusc. The labours of Cuvier, Blainville, Owen, Forbes, Philippi, and many others in the field of Malacology, have rendered even these shelly habitations much more interesting objects, than when they were looked upon only as pretty specimens for the cabinet ; and in connection with their very curiously formed inhabitants, they present a study at once pleasing and wonderful, from their perfect mutual adaptation. The satisfaction derived from the possession of a cabinet of shells, cannot fail to be greatly heightened by their being scientifically arranged, and the pleasure they afford is infinitely increased, when a knowledge of the wonderfully constituted inhabitant is added to that of its beautiful habitation.

In the first edition of Popular Conchology the great work of

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VI

PREFACE.

Lamarck was taken as the basis of the general arrangement ; in the present, that of Dr. Philippi, published under the title of “ Handbuch der Conchyliologie und Malacozoologie,” has been selected as the foundation ; in many cases the descriptions are a free translation from that Author, and consequently the system based upon the animal alone, has been explicitly followed.

The details of classes, families, and genera are derived from the most authentic sources ; the works of Forbes and Philippi have been chiefly consulted for accounts of the Molluscs ; and those of Sowerby, Reeve, Philippi, Swainson, and other writers, for the generic distinctions of the shells they inhabit. The present edition embraces also the fossil genera, which were omitted in the first. Though the descriptions are strictly scientific, and calculated to give a thorough insight into the history and habits of the Molluscous animals, the Author trusts that the young Conchologist will find something more in these pages than mere dry details, which are, however, quite necessary to afford a clear and practical insight into this fascinating pursuit.

The drawings for the woodcuts of the first edition were derived from the works of the author’s friend, Mr. Swainson, with a few additions of her own ; the new ones added in the present volume are from the pencil of Mr. Sowerby.

UNIVALVES.

CLASS I. — CEPHALOPODA Order I. — Dibranchiata - Section I. — Octopoda -

Family I — Octopoda - Polypus -

Pinnoctopus - -

Moschites - -

Cirroteuthis - Argonauta *

Section II. — Decapod a Family II. — Sepiacea

Cranchia - - -

Loligopsis -

Histioteuthis -

Onychoteuthis -

Ommastrephes -

Loligo -

Gonatus -

Sepiola -

Fidenas -

Sepioteuthis -

Sepia -

Teuthopsis -

Leptoteuthis -

Beloteuthis -

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