THE MUSEUM. 



A Monthly Magazine Devoted to Research in Natural Science. 



Vol. II. 



ALBION, N. Y., JANUARY 15, 1896. 



No. 3 



SHOWY SEA SHELLS. 



Interesting Notes About Shells 



that are Eagerly Sought for 



by Collectors. 



{Continued from last nmnber.) 

 The genus Buccinum resembles that 

 of Purpura in many respects. Its shell 

 is oval or conical, much notched in 

 front. The species inhabit every sea, 

 especially those of Europe. The an- 

 imal has a small flat head, furnished 

 with lateral tentacles or horns, bear- 

 ing the eyes upon an external swelling, 

 situated near their central length. We 

 need only refer to [Fig. 30] Buccinum 

 senticosum, and Baccinum undatum, 

 the well known welk of our markets 

 [Fig. 31] for their general form. 



^ 



The genus Harpa contains shells 

 from the Indian Ocean, richly enamel- 

 ed within, and ornamented externally 

 with slightly oblique longitudinal 

 stripes in gay colors, with finely-sculp- 

 tured forms in the intervals; spire very 

 small, and opening large. Among the 

 more attractive species are Harpa Ven- 

 tricosa [Fig. 32], and Harpa inoperi- 

 alis [Fig. 33] and Harpa articularis 



Fig. 31. 



The fifth family, Muricidas, contains 

 Fusus, Pyrula, Triton and Murex. 



The genus Murex, or Rock Shell, in- 

 clude a large number of species, all re- 

 markable for their bright colors and 

 somewhat fantastical and varied forms. 

 They are found in all seas, but become 

 larger and more branching into the 

 seas of warm regions. The shell is 

 oval, or rather oblong, the spire more 

 or less elevateu, its surface genenerally 



Fig. 32. 



[Fig. 34]. 



covered with rows of spines, or tuber- 

 cular ramifications. The opening 

 which is oval, is prolonged in a straight 

 canal, often of very considerable length, 

 as in Murex haustellum [Fig. 35; the 



