"Greatly," replied Mr. Elliot: "you will meet with tuns, helmets, harps, and needles. Species of the Buccinum genus are found in the African, American, Indian, European, and Southern oceans. Eighteen occur upon our coasts.
STROMBUS.
MUREX.
"Strombus contains forty-four species. Shell univalve, spiral, aperture much dilated, the lip expanding, ending in a canal inclining towards the left.
"You must notice the sinus in the outer lip, near the base of the shell. Strombus gigas, the West Indian conch, is very large. Some species have the lip ending in claws. Strombus pes-pelicani, the pelican's-foot, has four palmated claws: ([Plate 7.]) it is a British shell. The city of Santa Cruz, in America, is paved with the shells of Strombus gigas.
"The genus Murex is both large and beautiful. Shell univalve, spiral; aperture oval, ending in a straight canal.
"These shells are of very unequal form; their surfaces frequently covered with spines, knobs, or foliations. Some are remarkable for the great length of the beak, (Frontispiece,) such as the woodcock, the snipe's-head, and Venus's-comb. The Murex before you is foliated. ([Plate 7.]) The species are one hundred and seventy-one. Several are found on British coasts, but they are not remarkable for beauty.
"The top-shell, Trochus, is univalve, conic, spiral; the aperture either angular or rounded; columella oblique: some of the apertures have a tooth-like projection. ([Plate 7.]) Species, one hundred and thirty. Several kinds occur in Britain. New Zealand, Friendly Isles, Red Sea, and most other seas, afford the various species. Two of this genus have the power of collecting parts of shells and other testaceous substances, which adhere strongly to the whorls of the shell: it is called the Conchologist. The other, named Mineralogist, is loaded with stones, pebbles, ores, &c. When heavily laden they are considered rarities.
TROCHUS.
TURBO.
HELIX.
"There is a great similarity between the genera Turbo and Trochus. You must observe the generic distinction carefully. Shell univalve, spiral; aperture contracted, orbicular, entire. The one hundred and sixty-seven species have been much divided by other writers. The golden-mouthed Turbo is a very fine shell. This genus also contains the common periwincle, an inhabitant of most European shores. Sailors report that if the animal is seen creeping high up the rocks, it foretells stormy weather. Turbo muricatus is a pretty shell." ([Plate 7.])