THE SHELL-FISH OF THE COAST. 19 
doubtless, also to a certain extent become swelled 
up by the water which they must necessarily imbibe. 
The exact period of spawning of these pear- 
conchs upon our coast has not yet been definitely 
ascertained, but from the frequency with which 
the fresh ribbons are found, it is not unlikely 
that the spawning-season extends over a considera- 
ble part of the year. So secretly and quietly does 
the conch attend to its 
affairs, that it is only at 
the widest intervals that 
it has been observed in 
the process of spawning ; 
indeed, it is well known 
that there are but few 
naturalists who have ob- 
served it in this condi- 1 9 
° : EGG-CAPSULES OF 1, FULGUR CARICA; 
tion. Ther e are two OF 2, F. CANALICULATA. 
kinds of ribbons found 
on the beach,—one in which the individual capsules 
have a sharp median edge, and the other in which 
the capsules are doubly carinated or keeled, appear- 
ing like a wheel with a double flange. The former 
belongs to Fulgur canaliculata, and the latter to 
Fulgur carica. EKach capsule—of which there may 
be some 75 or 100 on asingle ribbon—shows a round 
opening at about the middle of its outer border, 
through which the embryo conchs make their 
escape. 
A word may not be amiss here with regard to 
the blue or blackish specimens that. you have col- 
lected. The suspicion has for some time existed 
