THE
FIVE CLASSES OF INVERTEBRAL ANIMALS
DESCRIBED IN THIS VOLUME

THE
BOOK OF SHELLS;

CONTAINING

THE CLASSES MOLLUSCA, CONCHIFERA,
CIRRHIPEDA, ANNULATA, AND
CRUSTACEA.

PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL LITERATURE AND EDUCATION,
APPOINTED BY THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING
CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.

THE SECOND EDITION.

LONDON:
JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND.

M.DCCC.XXXVII.

In describing that portion of the system of Natural History whichembraces the Vertebral Animals,—namely, the Mammalia, theBirds, the Reptiles, and the Fishes,—the arrangement of the BaronCuvier was adopted. In the present little volume, as well as intwo others that are to follow, and which, together, will comprise theInvertebral Animals, the method of M. Lamarckwill be adhered to. It is true, that, since the works of that naturalist werepublished, many deviations from certain parts of his system have takenplace, some of which have received the sanction of the highest names;but still, as a whole, Lamarck’s System remains unrivalled, andthe young naturalist can readily add to the information it contains,by reference to the works of more recent authors, in case he hassufficient inclination and industry to follow out the subject.

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