THE SMALLER SEA-SHELLS 183 



by the rich purple juices of the animal. The oper- 

 culum is a brown scale, nearly circular, and show- 

 ing lines of growth. The color of the shell is white, 

 and its common length is about an inch. 



In Figure 174 is shown the beautiful shell 

 of Epitonium hindsii^ Cpr., (Scala hindsii)^ 

 the White Wentletrap. It is pure white in 

 color, very delicate, and is generally less 

 than an inch in length. The whorls are p^g 174 

 very distinct, finely rounded, and each one 

 is crossed b}^ about twelve thin, sharp ridges. These 

 shells are so highly prized that they have been worn 

 as the drops of ear-rings. There is a large Chinese 

 wentletrap, as all of these white shells are called, 

 that is so rare and beautiful that it has actually been 

 sold for a hundred dollars, or even more. And it is 

 even said that the astute Chinaman, — who from the 

 days of Bret Harte has been called "peculiar," — it 

 is said that he used to artificially construct a wentle- 

 trap from a preparation of rice, which was so natural 

 that many purchasers were deceived and thought 

 that they had secured a valuable treasure. The 

 White Wentletrap is found on the southern shores 

 of California. 



'Epitonium indianorum^ Cpr., {Scala indianorum) ^ 

 the Indians' Wentletrap, is a species found more 

 commonly in the north, especially about Puget 

 Sound. It has a thicker shell than the last species, 

 more v/horls, more varices, and less prominent su- 

 tures. The name Wentletrap is derived from a Dan- 



