Conchology or Testaceology is a numerous and beautiful branch of Natural
History, treating of the testaceous covering of animals; perhaps none
but the department of Flora can vie with it in variety, symmetry of
form, and rich colouring. It has ever excited admiration, and obtained a
prominent situation in the cabinet; and so great are the facilities
afforded at the present day to procure specimens and obtain a knowledge
of this science, that it has become one of the requisites of a finished
education. Shells are found in all parts of the world, both on land and
in water; but the most beautiful and valuable species are found between
the tropics.
At first they were regarded as pleasing curiosities, and prized only on
that account; but the investigations of scientific men have proved that
the study of this science is not only interesting, but useful. Much
valuable information has already been obtained, and, from the
investigations of modern naturalists, much more may be anticipated.
So intimate is the connexion between Conchology and Geology, that a
knowledge of the one is indispensable to the study and acquirement of
the other. The geologist will draw much advantage from a close study of
the testaceous covering of molluscous animals to aid him in determining
the identity or the superposition of the different strata of the earth
and the extraordinary changes it has undergone; for, as Bergman
elegantly says, “fossil shells, coral, and wood are the only three
remaining medals of Creation.” He will see in the innumerable quantity
of these animals, succeeding each other from generation to generation in
the depth of the seas, one of the evident causes of the growth and
increase of islands and continents.
But man may find in the knowledge of Mollusca applications still more
direct to his well being in society, both as to the advantages and
disadvantages to be derived from them: thus a great number of species
are proper for food, as oysters, mussels, &c., which are objects of
commercial speculations. The Pinna furnishes the Italians with materials
for a rich dress, and the pearl, so much prized by the Orientals, by
princes, and particularly by the ladies, as a modest and beautiful
ornament, is produced by a disease of the animals in certain species of
shells. It was this knowledge which made the celebrated Linnæus imagine
that it was possible to form an artificial pearlery in the rivers of
Sweden. The mother of pearl, so much employed as an ornament in articles
of luxury, is only the interior lining of certain univalve or bivalve
shells. Painting draws from some of these animals many colours, valuable
not so much for their beauty as their usefulness, as Chinese ink and
sepia.
The brightest and richest colour known by the ancients, and used by them
for the celebrated Tyrian purple dye, is produced by animals at this
time known by the name of Purpura.
The Teredo attacks the wood of our vessels, and often does much injury;
therefore the knowledge of its manners, habits, and customs must be of
great importance in countries infested with them, so as to be able to
provide a remedy against them. Snails and slugs are also enemies much to
be dreaded in our gardens.
Lamarck, in his last work, the result of the successive and continual
labours of his whole life and those of his contemporaries, has rendered
a very great service to science, but especially to conchology, by
describing, or, at least, characterizing the numerous species of shells
in his own splendid cabinet. It may be proper here to remark, that a
part of Lamarck’s cabinet is now in the possession of Isaac Lea, Esq.,
of Philadelphia, to whom we are much indebted for valuable assistance.
To Dr. Comstock, and the Rev. W. Turner, of Hartford, Conn., we are much
indebted for kind favours; their aid has greatly facilitated our
labours.
In this Manual of Conchology we have endeavoured to give a free
translation of Lamarck’s system, as simplified by De Blainville; and, in
order to facilitate as much as possible the study of this beautiful and
interesting science, we have divested it of numerous technicalities, and
divided it into four classes: Annelides, Cirrhipedes, Conchifera, and
Mollusca.
To each class we have assigned its various families, to each family its
genera, and to each genus its living species; thereby making it plain
and within the reach of the meanest capacity. A type of almost every
genus is given, excepting only those shells which, from their similarity
to other genera, may easily be classed.
It was deemed advisable, as this is intended for an easy introduction to
the science, to omit many divisions and subdivisions, which would only
serve to perplex and render the attainment more difficult.
As the Naiades, or shells of this country, are given in several valuable
scientific works lately published, we have only slightly touched them in
the place they are intended to occupy.
We cannot expect that the work now presented to the public is free from
imperfections; but we ask for their lenity and kind forbearance to
excuse whatever defects there may be in our humble attempts to advance
the cause of science. Conchology, like other departments of natural
history, is progressing; and that which is given to-day is almost always
susceptible of being modified to-morrow; should this work be well
received, it is our intention to give, as soon as practicable, an
enlarged work, containing even the minute microscopic shells and the
fossils, with plates containing types of as many species of the genera
as can possibly be obtained.
The plates were drawn and coloured with great care and accuracy from the
natural shells in our own cabinet, under the superintendence of Mr.
James Ackerman, artist.