COWRIES. 169 
the change, and one to which so much of the 
beauty of these shells is indebted. It sometimes 
happens that the glassy coat envelopes, while soft, 
FULL GROWN COWRY. 
any accidentally-intruding body adhering to the 
shell, and, quickly hardening, detains it there. 
Specimens of cowries are tound in collections, on 
which other shells are fixed, firmly imbedded in 
the enamel. As such accidents are rare, however, 
it may be supposed that the frequent use of the 
mantle-lobes to embrace the shell has a tendency to 
prevent the adhesion of other shells. 
