GEOGRAPHY OP SHELLS. 29 



even in the plains of ocean, where apparently no barriers 

 exist to prevent the onward progress of innumerable 

 mollusksj their boundaries, both with regard to latitude and 

 longitude, will be found in general well defined. 



Some species attain a full development in warm latitudes, 

 and are restricted to the torrid zone ; others abound in tem- 

 perate climates ; and many, of small size and less highly 

 coloured, inhabit the arctic regions. 



Cones, which are mostly inhabitants of deep water, are 

 nearly all tropical ; their vivid colours seem in accordance 

 with the aspect of vegetation in sunny climes. Coivries also 

 belong to the same latitudes, with the exception of one or 

 two small grooved species that are found on our coasts. New 

 Holland and the Pacific have each their species, and the 

 C. pantlierma is brought in great abundance from the Eed 

 Sea. Cyrabiums and Melons are found in Australia ; but the 

 greater number are from the coast of Africa, where they 

 burrow in the sand at low water, and Kve mostly concealed 

 from view. 



Beautiful Volutes strew the shores of Australia, New 

 Guinea, and New Zealand ; a few species, those of the Brazils 

 and Ceylon, Timor, and TTestern Africa. PecuKar as regards 

 their places of abode, they rarely inhabit localities where 



