| PAGE. | |
| INTRODUCTION. | |
| What are Shells | iii |
| Conchology | iv |
| Beauty and Value of Shells | vi |
| Uses of Shells | viii |
| The Inhabitants of Shells | xi |
| Malacology | ib |
| Classification of Shells | xii |
| Taking and Preserving Shells | xiii |
| The Cabinet | ib |
| On Cleaning and Polishing Shells | xv |
| Fossil Shells | ib |
| UNIVALVES. | |
| The Common Snail | 18 |
| Fresh-water Shells | 23 |
| The Whelk | 26 |
| Rock Shells | 27 |
| Periwinkle | 29 |
| Trochus, or Top-Shell | 31 |
| Cones, Volutes, Mitres, and Olives | 35 |
| Cowries | 38 |
| BIVALVES. | |
| The Oyster | 41 |
| Pearls | 49 |
| The Mussel and the Cockle | 51 |
| Scallop Shells | 57 |
| Limpits | 59 |
| Bock-borers | 61 |
| MULTIVALVES. | |
| The Chitons | 63 |
| Barnacles | 64 |
| Cuttle Fish | 67 |
| Nautilus and Ammonite | 71 |
About This Book
The work offers a practical and accessible introduction to the natural history and study of shells, defining technical terms and the discipline of conchology, distinguishing shell types and structures (crystalline vs granular), and explaining how mollusks form shells, mother-of-pearl, fossils and pearls. It supplies guidance on collecting, cleaning, and displaying specimens, deciphers scientific names and conchological vocabulary, and gives concise descriptions of notable species and their inhabitants. Numerous engravings and colored plates accompany the text to illustrate forms and coloration for collectors and general readers.