Trochus. 59 
convex, squamose, radiate at the margin.” This 
is quite a simple affair to some descriptions, and 
simple in fact it is to one, who, by attentive study, 
has become familiarized with the meaning of the 
terms. To one also who is acquainted with the 
Greek and Latin tongues, they will be sufficiently 
plain, although he has never seen them applied 
before, for they are all derived from those dead 
languages, as they are called, and so convey their 
own meaning to every educated naturalist, no 
matter of what nation he may be; and hence their 
chief value. It is not necessary for our readers to 
trouble themselves about the meaning of such terms 
at present; by and by it will be necessary for them 
to do so, if they wish to prosecute the study of 
any natural science. 
But about the Imperial Trochus, with its “ orbi- 
cularly conical”? shell—that term we may explain 
as round and cone-like; a reference to Fig. 4, 
Plate IV., will show what is meant by this more 
clearly than words can, and likewise exhibit the 
beautiful markings of this species, with its ground 
tint of rich violet-brown. This beauty is often 
obscured by calcareous incrustations and marine 
plants, showing that the mollusk is sluggish in its 
habits—a slothful creature. So it is with human 
