TROCHUS.
Well-known shells are also those of many species of Trochus; the spiral shell has literally a spiral animal inside it. So also some of the fifty species of Turbo, which are often marbled in beautiful colours outwardly and superbly nacred within. So again the winding pyramidal shells of the Turritella, many of which are found in every sea. And once more, what mantelpiece of old was not adorned with a pair or more of cowrie shells (Cypræ), natives of every sea! They range from the little whitish money cowrie, actually used in place of coin in parts of Africa to-day, to handsome shells of large size. The animal which inhabits this shell is elongated, and has a head with a pair of long tentacles, each having a very large eye. The foot, as one example specially will show (Cypræ tigris) is an oval sucker, capable of great tenacity.
THE COWRIE (Cypræa tigris).
In every conchologist’s collection will be found some of the mitre shells, so called from their resemblance to a bishop’s mitre, and principally obtained from Indian and Australian seas. So, again, the Voluta, with their oval and graceful forms. The animal inhabiting the latter has a very large head, provided with two tentacles and a mouth furnished with hooked teeth. The foot is very large and projects from the whole mouth of the [pg 141]shell, which is often ornamented with gay colours and varied marks and flutings. So also the Conus genus, the title of which sufficiently indicates its general form, and some of the shells of which command high prices. These generally tropical shells are more uniform in shape than many just mentioned, but they are most beautifully varied in colour and minor details. The “residents” have large heads with snouts, while their mouths are furnished with horny teeth. Every good collection, too, is sure to contain examples of the genus Cassis, principally from the Indian Ocean.
VOLUTA.
CONUS.