THE PEARLY NAUTILUS, 28) 
more simple structure. The handsome pearl-mother and spirally 
wound shell is divided by transverse partitions (@), perforated in 
the centre, into numerous chambers (b). The animal takes up 
its abode in the foremost and largest (b’), but sends a commu- 
nicating tube or siphon (c) through all the holes of the partitions 
to the very extremity of the spirally wound shell. Though the 
empty conch was frequently found swimming on the waters of 
the Indian Ocean, or cast ashore on the Moluccas or New 
Guinea, yet it was cnly in 1829 that the animal was known with 
YZ xX | / 
4 f 
H7\_ 6 SS SSAN | 
SS —_\| 
Pearly Nautilus. 
any certainty, one having been caught alive by Mr. George 
Bennett, near the New Hebrides, which, preserved in spirits, is 
now in the museum of the College of Surgeons. Since then 
three different species have been found to abound in the waters 
of the above-named archipelago, of New Caledonia, and of the 
Feejee and Solomon Islands, where they principally sojourn 
among the coral reefs at depths of from three to six fathoms 
They usually remain at the bottom of the water, where they 
creep along rather quickly, supporting themselves upon their 
