Rambles in search of Shells

Abstract

SAYS the author of this small work, in his introduction: “It has often been a matter of surprise to us that the study of the land and freshwater shells has not more votaries, especially amongst the fair sex. The subject may be easily coupled with botany, being, as it were, nearly associated with it; for, whether we ramble on the downs, in the woodland, or in the marsh, in search of any particular plant, we seldom fail to find in close proximity to it some species or other of mollusca which claims its shelter or support.” The large field of entertaining detail—comparatively little trodden, except by the erudite few—which is opened up by a study of shells and their inmates, cannot be better entered than by a perusal of the work before us. Mr. Harting has a happy way of placing the rudiments of a science in a light which goes far to remove the comparative uninterestingness of its bare facts. These latter he intersperses with references to easily appreciated and well-known collateral associations, which retain the attention of the reader, at the same time that nothing is taught but trustworthy and important principles. It is evident that, to the beginner, the classification adopted by systematists is comparatively unintelligible, and often only confusing, That based upon the localities and characteristic soils which the different species inhabit, being at first sight much the more simple, is the one adopted. Accordingly, we find chapters devoted to the shells found on the London Clay, others on chalk soils, & c.; the less common species, from whatever soil, being described in proximity to their better known and nearest allies. Several carefully-drawn coloured plates of the species described greatly facilitate the identification of each. A useful appendix also is a list of the local catalogues of the native land and freshwater mollusca, with the assistance of which the study, commenced in the work itself, can be extended by the enthusiastic local collector. The number of species described as undoubtedly British is one hundred and twenty, including the slugs, which, “though generally regarded as shell-less, have the shell placed beneath the mantle.”

Rambles in search of Shells.

J. E.

Harting

By (London: John Van Voorst, 1875.)