194 POPULAR BRITISH CONCHOLOGY. 



transparent^ smooth^ glossy, and of a yellowish colour ; one 

 of the capsules contained three, the other only two embryos. 

 The last were far advanced, and apparently ready to leave 

 the case. Through the transparent covering, when first 

 dredged, I could see them moving about, and adhering to 

 the inner surface of the capsule by the expanded foot, the 

 sides of which were of a faint lilac colour. The thin oper- 

 culum, the flattened tentacles, the diminutive spot-like eyes 

 of these beautiful creatures, were also distinctly visible. 

 The young shell is very thin, brittle, pellucid, brilliantly 

 glossy, and of a pale amber colour, nipple-formed, and per- 

 fectly, resembles the nucleus, or upper whorl, of the adult in- 

 dividual, as will be seen by referring to the accompanying 

 plate. Those most advanced in growth have two whorls, 

 and are half an inch in length by a quarter in width.^^ 



The capsules of F. antiqims are smaller and placed above 

 each other in a heap. The young are fully formed before 

 they leave the capsule ; but the young shell, which forms 

 the nucleus or apex of the spire of the adult, is thin, rounded, 

 and of a totally different character : hence the curious mam- 

 millated apex observed in all the species. The British Fusi 

 are — 

 F. Islandiciis: animal pale-yellowish, rough. Shell white 



