Case 57.
The “Tun-shells” (Doliidæ) are remarkable for the globoseness of the shells, which are covered with very regular revolving ribs.
Cases 58–60.
The Fasciolariidæ contains two of the largest living Gastropods: Megalatractus aruanus, from North and West Australia, and Fasciolaria gigantea, which is found off the coast of South Carolina, and attains at times a length of two feet.
Cases 61–64.
The Mitras (Mitridæ) are great favourites with shell-collectors, on account of their beautiful colours and varied sculpture. There are about 600 living species already known, and between one and two hundred have been found in a fossil state. Shells of this group, like the Fasciolariæ, are distinguished by a few plaits or folds on the inner side of the aperture (the columella). Mitras are almost exclusively found in tropical or subtropical regions, the majority being met with either at low-water mark or in comparatively shallow water.
Cases 64–66.
The family of Buccinidæ also contains a very large and various assemblage of forms. Among them may be mentioned the Whelks (Buccinum). (See Fig. 13 on p. [19].)
Fig. 12.
Cassis madagascariensis, with cameo engraved upon it.
Side table-case B.