SOLATIUM. 149 



stricted to the outer edge of the whorls, only collects 

 very small stones, intermixed with valves of the yucula 

 or Vectunculus. The P. corrugatus attaches flat fragments 

 of shell ; the P. Lidicics and Solaris, small pebbles on the 

 first or second whorl ; and in the P. exutus rarely more 

 than traces of pebbles are discernible. 



Among these, the P. onustus is an inhabitant of the 

 West Indies ; all others of the genus are from the eastern 

 world, Japan, China, and the Phihppines. The beautiful 

 spouted and tubed P. Solaris, known to Linnaeus, but stiU 

 extremely rare, is from Malacca. 



The elegant Staircase Trochus constitutes the type of 

 the genus Solarium, to wliich several interesting species 

 are referred. It presents, as the name impHes, a mimic 

 staircase, ^vinding down the interior of the shell ; such as 

 Titania, wearied with her journeyings and seeking for a 

 quiet resting-place, might have rejoiced to find, — 



"When Xight her cm-tains 

 Did throw aside, and forth vdt]x dripping locks 

 Came her meek sister, Twilight, waking up 

 All early hii'ds, and, chief, the soaring lai'k. 

 That bodieth forth his matin song, 'mid clouds 

 Of gold and purple. 



