H. G. Adams — Beautiful Shells Their Nature, Structure, and Uses Familiarly Explained with Directions for Collecting, Cleaning, and Arranging Them in the Cabinet and Descriptions of the Most Remarkable Species.

London, Groombridge and Sons, 1855. First edition. Cloth. A beautifully illustrated and very scarce first edition of this guide to the science, history, and artistry of shells, from collecting to classification. In the publisher's original pictorial red cloth.This copy is undated. Dated here using Jisc, from a copy held at the University of Cambridge Libraries.Illustrated with 7 colour plates and a colour frontispiece. Collated, complete. This volume is a richly illustrated guide to conchology, exploring the biology, structure, and cultural significance of shells. It also offers practical advice on collecting, cleaning, preserving, and arranging specimens, making it a valuable resource for both naturalists and hobbyists. The book features detailed chapters on Univalves such as the Common Snail, Whelk, Periwinkle, and Cowries. It also examines Bivalves, including Oysters, Pearl-producing mollusks, Scallops, and Limpets. Finally, it covers Multivalves like Chitons, Barnacles, Cuttlefish, the Nautilus, and the Ammonite. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Spine faded. Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities. Slight offsetting to endpapers. One or two minor handling marks to boards. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean with just the odd spot to the first and last few leaves and one or two spots to the fore edges. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None Stated. Very Good Indeed .