"There are several fossil species.
"The concluding genus of the third order is very large, and contains rare and costly shells. This is Conus, scarcely to be mistaken for any other genus except Voluta, and that only at a first glance.
CONUS.
"The species are covered with an epidermis, sometimes very thick; the spire has various degrees of elevation, sometimes almost flat; the operculum very small and horny. They are natives of southern and tropical seas: the animal is carnivorous: found in sandy mud, at various depths of the ocean. The species are very numerous—Lamarck makes 181 recent. Some new species have lately been discovered. Many of the cones are very beautiful, both in shape and colour, and the genus has been always in estimation among collectors. The gloria-maris, cedonulli, ammiralis, and some others, have been sold at very high prices, and some of the finest of these are now in England.
"Lamarck makes two divisions: in the first is comprehended the species with coronated spires; the second those with simple spires; the latter division contains far the greater number.
"Fossil cones occur, in London clay and crag, in England.
"No recent species are found upon our own coasts.
"Conus Hebræus, the Hebrew-cone, is easily known: ([Plate 6]:) it has a white ground, and square black markings.
"Conus virgo is white, with a purple base.