A Conchological Manual by George Brettingham Sowerby (early reader books .txt) 📖
- Author: George Brettingham Sowerby
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It may be necessary in introducing this little volume, to state, that it is
strictly conchological, and that it is compiled for the use not only of
those who wish to acquire an elementary acquaintance with the subject, but
also of authors and others, who, desirous of extending their knowledge and
pursuing their researches, require a book of reference, containing a
general outline of what has been done by those who have trodden the same
path before them. It has been thought advisable, for general convenience,
to arrange the principal part of the information in alphabetical order:
adding tables of the systems of Lamarck and De Blainville, to facilitate
the systematic pursuit of the science.
Persons of the class first alluded to, will find great assistance in the
explanation of technical words, their application being further
illustrated, in most cases, by a reference to the figures; and, although
they might have been multiplied, it is trusted that enough are given for
every useful purpose.
The definition of the Classes, Orders, Families, and Genera, in the system
of De Blainville, and a tabular view, are presented for the use of those
who prefer it, or who wish to compare it with that of Lamarck.
In the explanation of the figures, will be found a systematic arrangement
of shells, according to Lamarck, including the names of genera established
or proposed since the publication of his system. The descriptions of
established genera have been rendered as concise and clear as possible. It
is hoped that no essential characters are omitted, and that those living
authors, whose proposed generic distinctions have been passed over in a few
words, will not have to complain of want of justice in the attempt to
interpret their meaning.
In most cases the generic name will be found accompanied by its derivation.
This has been done, in the hope of assisting the memory by associating the
meaning of a term with some peculiarity in the thing described. At the end
of each description of a genus, some general observations occur, pointing
out the principal character which distinguishes it from others, to which it
is nearly allied; and also stating the geographical or geological
distribution and habits of the animal.
The above descriptions and definitions are illustrated by a series of
plates, containing above 500 etchings of nearly as many proposed or
established genera, arranged in Lamarckian order, so as to show at a glance
all the generic forms of each family. And, although from their number, they
could not be very highly finished, it is hoped that they will be found
characteristic.
The compiler cannot replace his pen without acknowledging, with filial
gratitude, the kind assistance of one who has sacrificed much of his time
in bringing his knowledge and experience to bear upon the correctness and
utility of this humble attempt to remove some of the difficulties to which
the commencement of this, as well as of every other study, is exposed.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
The favourable reception and rapid sale of the first edition of the
Conchological Manual having rendered a second necessary, the Author takes
this opportunity of explaining the nature of the alterations which have
been made. In doing this, he has to thank his friends for their
suggestions, which, together with his own increased knowledge and
experience, enable him to present a more complete and satisfactory work to
the scientific public.
For the further convenience of those who are studying the rudiments of the
science, an entirely new Introduction is given, in which, commencing with
the structure and gradual developement of the shell, the author has
endeavoured to explain the general principles of Conchology in systematical
order. This Introduction is illustrated by 100 wood-cuts, which will be
found greatly to assist the Student.
The definitions have been rendered more full and complete than before, and
the Author has profited by some manuscript notes communicated by a
scientific friend, to whom he desires to present his humble
acknowledgments. Upwards of four hundred explanations have been given of
words which did not appear in the former edition, three-fourths of which
are of generic and subgeneric names.
A large number of notes, referring to the geographical distribution of the
genera, have been added from the pen of Mr. G. B. Sowerby, Senior.
The plates have been carefully improved; and three, containing upwards of
eighty figures, have been added.
On the whole, it will be found that the amount of matter has been nearly
doubled; all the defects, as far as they have been discovered, have been
removed, and every means used of making the present edition as useful as
possible.
INTRODUCTION.
The Science of Conchology affords a very delightful and instructive
amusement for the leisure hours of those who, retiring occasionally from
the gaieties of fashionable life, seek pleasure in the quiet contemplation
of some of the smaller, but not less wonderful operations of creative
wisdom. And, although the study of shells would be more complete, and rank
higher in the scale of philosophical pursuits, were it always accompanied
by that of the animal inhabiting them, it nevertheless presents means of
intellectual gratification, to many who cannot follow it beyond the cabinet
and the boudoir. These may examine with admiration and mental improvement,
the beautiful colouring and architecture of these wonders of the deep, they
may exercise their taste and judgment in the selection and arrangement of
specimens, and their discrimination in detecting and appreciating the
distinctions upon which the arrangement is founded.
It is but little that can be known of the subject without forming a
collection of greater or less extent; for, as it would be uninstructive
merely to delight the eye with the bright colours and elegant form of
shells, without possessing correct information respecting them, so it would
be insipid and useless to learn technicalities without being acquainted by
personal observation with the subjects to which they are applied. The first
endeavour should, therefore, be to obtain a few shells as examples of the
larger divisions, and, when these are understood, to proceed with the
smaller groups, until a collection be formed to represent as many generic
forms as possible. It may be as well here to advise those who are forming a
collection to be very particular in every practicable instance to have the
shells properly named at the time of purchasing; as it will save much
trouble, and materially assist in the attainment of the desired object. To
this end, recourse should be had to those naturalist tradesmen, who unite
the attainment and diffusion of real scientific knowledge with their
commercial pursuits.
Supposing, however, that the person who desires to learn the science,
possesses a small parcel of unarranged and unnamed shells, without any
previous acquaintance with the subject, the following introductory
explanations, are drawn up with the view of enabling him, without further
assistance, to obtain a general insight into its principles, equal to that
of those who have studied it long and laboriously. To effect this, he must
read them, carefully comparing the descriptions with the figures referred
to, and with the specimens which he may have at command.
After describing the nature of the science and defining its objects, we
shall proceed to explain the structure of those objects, and the manner of
their growth. We shall then enter somewhat minutely into the principles of
classification, the distinctions upon which they are founded, and some of
the technical terms used to express them. After which we shall pass through
the arrangement of Lamarck, defining the general divisions adopted under
the terms of "_Classes_, _Orders_, and _Families_," as far as they are
capable of definition. The subdivision of the latter into _genera_ will
only be entered into so far as to enumerate the principal of them, the more
minute descriptions being reserved for the alphabetical part of the work.
Let none be discouraged by the number of generic distinctions proposed and
adopted in modern times; for if well defined, they will be found to
facilitate rather than encumber the science. The knowledge of species must
be the foundation of every system, and the greater their number, the more
necessary it becomes to subdivide them; if, for instance, all the species
now known were to have been included in the 50 genera of Linnæus, a single
genus would have contained many hundreds of incongruous species, in which
case it would be much more difficult to remember them, than if they were to
be divided into a far greater number of genera. Every well marked division,
however arbitrary its limits, tends to simplify the subject, and to
facilitate the researches of the student.
NATURE OF THE SCIENCE.
Conchology is the study of shells, viewed and described as to what they are
either in themselves, or in relation to the soft, inarticulate animals
which produce them, and of which they form a part. These animals are called
MOLLUSCA, and perhaps the best general description of them will be found in
De Blainville's "Manuel de Malacologie et de Conchyliologie." The following
is a translation, "Animal in pairs, the body and its appendages soft,
inarticulate (not jointed), enveloped in a muscular skin, commonly called
the mantle, which is extremely variable in form, and has developed either
within or upon it a calcareous portion, consisting of one or several
pieces, commonly called a SHELL."
The term Mollusca was formerly restricted to those soft animals which were
destitute of shells, although possessing in other particulars, the
characters described above, and it was used in order to distinguish them
from the TESTACEA, which were covered or internally supported by calcareous
parts. In the system of Linnæus, the soft portions are first arranged under
the general designation of "Vermes Mollusca," and described without regard
to the presence, absence, or character of the shells; and then the shells
are separately characterized under the appellation of "Vermes Testacea,"
without any further notice of the animal, than an indication of the genus
to which it belongs; thus the animal of Cypræa is said to be a Limax, and
that of Tellina a Tethys.
The nearest approach to correctness, and the most philosophical method of
study will be found in the modern system, adopted by Lamarck and his
followers, of observing these animals as a whole, and arranging them
according to the assemblage of characters which they present; of course
taking into consideration the existence or non-existence, form and
structure of the shell, on the same principle, which, in arranging the
vertebrated animals would lead us to study the hair, hoof, nails, claws,
&c. as well as the other parts.
At the same time, it must be admitted that there are many private
collectors of Shells who would find it a difficult, if not impossible task
to study minutely and successfully the soft parts of the Mollusca. Ladies,
for instance, could not be expected to handle with pleasure and
perseverance, these fleshy substances, which in order to be preserved from
putrefaction, must be kept in spirits; and yet such persons may, with
improvement and advantage to their own minds, enjoy the interesting and
scientific amusement of studying and arranging the clean and beautiful
natural objects which are so easily preserved, and so exquisitely curious
in their structure. Let it also be remembered, that if shells had not been
rendered
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