BY MRS. U. COXEN, M.E.M.S. 39 



C textilis, Linn., and C. aulicus, Linn., as being poisonous. 

 Speaking of C. textilis, the author observes that " the fact already 

 mentioned by several English naturalists of the venomous pro- 

 perties of the sting of the textile cone has been confirmed in 

 New Caledonia. According to an eye-witness, a native of 

 Pou6bo, having been stung in the hand experienced in this hand 

 and in the corresponding arm a considerable swelling, accom- 

 panied by very severe pain ; this swelling continued for some 

 time. But in this country the mistake is made of attributing 

 to the operculum of the Conus what is really due to its lingual 

 teeth." Referring to C. tnlipa, the authors further say : — 

 " According to Dr. Marie, the animal of C. tnlipa is as venomous 

 as that of C. textilis. However, it is a mistake to attribute to 

 the operculum what is due to the lingual armature." 



I have with me a specimen of Strombus luhuanus, Linn., 

 with the horny foot. Not having one belonging to a Conus I 

 thought this would serve to show what is meant. I was once 

 stung or bitten by a Strombus which I had alive in my hand, 

 but no ill results followed. Although I have with impunity 

 picked up live cones I would not now do so. When I had charge 

 of the shells in the Queensland Museum I placed an extract 

 from Dr. Bennett's work in the tray of Conus textilis, thinking 

 it might draw people's attention to the danger of picking the 

 animal up alive. 



I have brought a few cones for exhibition : Coyms textilis, 

 from Tanna ; Conus Coxeni, Brazier, found on the bank between 

 Stradbroke and Moreton islands ; C. mineatus and C. hehrasus, 

 Linn., from Caloundra; a fine Conus from Lady Elliott's Island 

 (C. marmoreus, Gm.), and one from Townsville. 



