20 THE SHELL-FISH OF THE COAST. 
el 
that these dark-stained conchs, and other shells of a 
like character, have been washed out of a subma- 
rine deposit, or from some clay-bank containing 
fossil remains. That there is some reason for con- 
sidering all such as fossils is indicated in the fact 
that, on and off, specimens not now known to in- 
habit the New Jersey coast are thrown upon the 
beach, some of which have been recognized as 
fossils elsewhere. But for the present it is not 
safe to accept the hypothesis for an established 
fact, especially as a number of the more brightly- 
colored shells, such as the scallops, have at least in 
part the distinctive deep-blue tinge. 
Among the rarer shells of the coast is the whelk 
(Buccinum undatum), whose habitat is more prop- 
erly the region lying north 
of Cape Cod peninsula, ex- 
tending thence eastward to 
the European continent. 
With us it is generally 
found in a largely dilapi- 
dated condition, indicating 
considerable wear, and a not 
improbably distant home. 
It inhabits a zone extend- 
ing from low water very 
nearly tothe greatest depths, 
where it plies its trade as 
one of the most voracious 
of the marine snails. Great 
numbers of the whelk are 
caught (more especially on the north HKuropean 
WHELK. 
