The black whelk 

 u q h uu y s. S (T d r y ZT aD 



seen, the latter protruding from the sand to enable the water to enter 

 the animal and furnish the necessary oxygen for its gills. The whelk 

 is used economically for both food and bait. One ingenious method 

 of catching them is to fasten a dead fish of good size to a wire 

 basket, and allow it to rest on the bottom for a short time ; when 

 taken up, it is sure to be covered with large, fat whelks. This 

 fishery in Great Britain is fully as valuable as our oyster fishery, 



the annual income from this industry reaching to 

 thousands of pounds sterling. The animal is also 

 one of the principal baits used in cod-fishing. A re- 

 lated genus of shells (Chrysodomus) is also eaten 

 by the poorer people, and likewise makes a good 

 codfish bait. The two kinds of whelk, Buccinwn and 

 Chrysodomus, are called respectively, the white whelk 

 and the red, or almond whelk, probably on account 

 of the color of the two shells. In the Shetland 

 Islands the red whelk is used as a lamp, being sus- 

 pended by strings from a nail, the mouth placed 

 uppermost and filled with oil. 



" The family Bucdnidce, of which the whelks be- 

 long to the typical genus, include a great variety of differently shaped 

 shells, living in all parts of the world. Some of these are brilliantly 

 colored, like the Eburma; while others, like the Buccinum, are per- 

 fectly plain. Several large and handsome shells live in Florida; one, 

 Meloncjena corona, having the spire ornamented with many spines; 

 while another, the Fulyur, or lightning shell, is pear- 

 shaped, and attains a length of eight inches. In va- 

 rious parts of the Southern states this species is largely 

 used in making borders around flower-beds and in 

 lining walks. It is also used as a flower-pot, and 

 the aborigines utilized it in making wampum, tools, 

 and even drinking-vessels. The handsomest species 

 of this family belong to the genus Eburnea, the ivory 

 shells. They have rather large, smooth, rounded 

 shells, the polished surface being marked by spots 

 of reddish. They are very abundant in the Indian 

 and Pacific oceans. 



" One of the most graceful of all the marine shells 

 is the Fusus, belonging to the family Fiisidce, and comprising mollusks 

 with long, spindle-shaped shells, high, turreted spires, and long canals. 

 They are found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the 



122 



Melongena corona, 

 a common Florida ma- 

 rine snail. (Tryon.) 



