For the discovery of this extremely beautiful shell, like many other acquisitions of importance in the cabinet of the Conchologist, we stand indebted to the assiduities of that eminent Naturalist Sir Joseph Banks, and those who accompanied him in the celebrated voyage of Captain Cook round the world. They observed it among the ornaments with which the natives of Otaheite had decorated their dresses, which were composed of feathers, and the barks of trees. To these garments they were attached by means of a string passing through a hole perforated for the purpose on one side of the shell. The natives were not so easily induced to part with these shells as the other decorations of their clothing, appreciating them at a much higher value. Our navigators were at first led to imagine these shells to be inhabitants of the seas surrounding Otaheite, in which particular they were at length undeceived by the natives who informed them to the contrary: they said the shells were found near an island at a great distance from Otaheite, and from the direction of the spot toward which they pointed, it was conjectured they meant the Fegee or Fidgi Islands, which are inhabited by the most ferocious cannibals throughout those seas.[[24]] Our navigators were therefore able only to procure such specimens as were attached to the dresses of the natives, and these being almost constantly perforated for the better convenience of fastening them on safely, at once explains the reason of the Orange Cowry being so rarely met with undisfigured by such perforation.
The mention of this circumstance, which at this distant period can be little known, is moreover of some importance, because as the shells were really brought from Otaheite, it has been generally supposed to be a native of that island, and has even sometimes been called the Otaheitan Cowry. Gmelin, who records this shell under the name of Cypræa Aurantium, speaks of it as a native of the Friendly Isles, “habitat ad insulas amicas,” resting his authority, we apprehend, upon the Conchology of Martyn, and which though published shortly after the return of Captain Cook, could not be so well informed upon the subject as the venerable friend who assured us it is neither a native of Otaheite, nor the Friendly Islands. Lamarck has subsequently observed that the species inhabits the seas of the Friendly Islands as well as those of Otaheite, and also of New Zealand. Upon what authority the localities have been increased to this extent is not stated. We have understood from very good authority that researches have been made repeatedly of late years by our navigators to discover the shells in those seas, and without effect; and this fact appears to be confirmed from the increasing value and importance attached to the species. We are indeed not entirely certain that any of these shells have ever been procured, except as before observed from among the natives of Otaheite, and the value of the shell has progressively advanced in consequence from four, or five, to ten pounds. A specimen in the collection of Mrs. Angus sold about three years ago in London for twenty guineas; thirty guineas have been in vain offered for another specimen within the last two or three years, and a collector at this period in London is in possession of another which it is understood cost him very lately fifty guineas. These circumstances, if we mistake not, conspire to prove, that the Orange Cowry is a far more local species than might be inferred from the observation of Lamarck.
Besides the name of Otaheitan Cowry, this shell has been also called the “Orange Cowry,” and the “Morning Dawn,” in reference to the latin “Cypræa Aurantium,” and “Aurora,” by both which it had been at different times distinguished. That of Aurantium alludes only to the prevailing orange colour of the shell, and has been given to it by Gmelin after Martyn. There is something more poetically elegant, and perhaps no less appropriate in the trivial name Aurora, which Lamarck adopts: we may in truth compare its beauteous fulvous hues fading into white with inexpressive softness, to the warm glowing tints and fainter blushes of an opening morning sky in summer. We have also adopted this name as well as Lamarck, for its peculiar elegance, in preference to that of Aurantium.
The origin of the epithet “Aurora,” bestowed upon this shell has probably long since been forgotten; it arose from one of those fugitive events not likely to be recorded excepting only in the recollection of collectors; and those in whose immediate knowledge the circumstance occurred have long since passed this transitory scene and are perhaps ere this themselves forgotten. The relation though in some respects trivial, may afford amusement to the amateur: it serves to shew the origin of its name “Aurora” at the same time that it presents a striking illustration of that ardent zeal with which the science of Conchology was cultivated in this country nearly half a century ago; its authenticity may be relied upon. The circumstance as related to us by an old collector some years ago was briefly this; a specimen of the shell had very shortly after the return of the discovery ships been presented by one of the officers to a lady, which coming to the knowledge of a most zealous collector of that period, he solicited the indulgence of seeing it; and waited upon the lady for the purpose, upon an intimation that the favour would be readily granted. Madam, said the enraptured visitor, gazing in admiration upon the Cowry, which he now beheld for the first time, has this shell a price? will twenty guineas purchase this lovely gem? it will not answered the lady. Allow me then said its enthusiastic admirer to clasp it for a moment in my hands, and bending on one knee, at the same time pressing the shell to his lips, pronounced with an emphasis of poetic fervour, “thus do I salute the ‘Morning Dawn’ of the new discovered world!” Let poets reverence Venus the beauty of the Grecian seas: my idol is “Aurora,” this sea-born nymph of surpassing beauty, that rose upon the waves of the Southern deep!
Tu quoque cum Dea sis, Divâ formosior illâ
Concha per æquoreum quam vasa ducit iter.[[25]]
Sec. 6. Basium.
Abating somewhat of the romantic warmth with which the ideas of the venerable collector alluded to was expressed, it must be admitted that in point of beautiful simplicity this shell has never been surpassed by any subsequent discoveries in the southern hemisphere; and it is no less singular than certain that the price of twenty guineas, which that collector named upon an imaginary valuation, has become the average standard value of a fine shell of this kind for some years past. At present they are more highly prized, because it is now pretty clearly ascertained that they are no longer to be procured among the natives of Otaheite; and for this reason it is much more likely they will reach a still higher price than that the value of them should diminish. The shell we have represented is to be considered as a very fine specimen in respect to size as well as colour.
