A Conchological Manual

A scientific publication written in the early 19th century. This manual serves as a comprehensive guide to conchology, the study of molluscan shells, and aims to provide both an introductory familiarity and a reference resource for serious researchers in the field. The work is extensively illustrated, featuring over six hundred figures that depict various shell types and their classifications. The opening portion of the manual includes a preface that outlines its purpose and structure, emphasizing the importance of understanding shells in both their aesthetic and scientific dimensions. Sowerby expresses gratitude to contributors and mentions the inclusion of systematic arrangements based on the work of notable naturalists like Lamarck. He highlights the need for conchologists, whether casual collectors or serious scholars, to pursue a systematic study of shells, discussing the organization of information alphabetically for ease of access. The introduction outlines the nature of conchology, describing shells and their relationship to the mollusks that inhabit them, ultimately preparing the reader for a detailed exploration of shell classification and structure.