212 



THE MUSEUM. 



Fig. 9 and lo. 

 Cypraea histrio (front and back view) 

 sometimes called the Harlequin Cow- 

 rie, is found on the shores of Madagas- 

 car. It is finely ornamented with dark 

 spots regularly arranged. 



Fig. 20. 

 Cypraea pantherina, sometimes call- 

 ed the Panther Cowry is so closely 

 allied to Cypraea tigris that in looking 

 Fig. II. over a large series of the latter one 



Cpraea tigris found all through the could nearly trace the two together. 

 Indian and Pacific oceans from Mada- It is a south Pacific species, 

 gascar to Australia. It is imported at 

 regular intervals to the United States 

 in large quantities. We have had as 

 high as 6000 fine large shells of this 

 species on hand at one time. The 

 top is frequently eaten off with acid 

 and then it is sold as the "Blued Cow- 

 ry" and after being eat off to the blued 

 state, the Lord's Prayer and other 

 mottoes are embossed on same. 



Fig. 21. 

 Cypraea testudinaria is a large dark 

 colored species from the Indian Ocean. 

 The spots are nearly black and good 

 sized specimens measure 4 in long. 







Fig. 12 and 13. 



Cypraea argus is from the Southern 

 Pacific. It was named "Eyed Cowry" 

 by Linnaeus, who was fond of Grecian 

 mythology, referring to the many eyed 

 monster which Juno stationed to guard 

 her hapless paramour. 



