Chap, xii.] THE PEARLY NAUTILUS. 



259 



edges bitten off. Since the animal does not adhere fast to its 

 shell, its enemies can easily drag it out, leaving the empty shell 

 to float. 



" The young of this Nmitilus, not larger than a Dutch 

 shilling, are of a clean mother-of-pearl colour within and with- 

 out. The rough shell substance overgrows the mother-of-pearl 

 only after a time, and this overgrowth commences from the 

 foremost part of the boat. 



" The Nautilus is found in all the Moluccan islands, and also 

 around the Thousand Islands off Batavia in Java, yet mostly 

 only the empty shells are met with, for the animal is seldom 

 found unless it creeps into the lobster-pots. 



" The animal is used for eating, like other ' Sea cats ' ; but it 

 is somewhat harder in flesh and difficult of digestion. The 

 shell is in much greater request, for the manufacture of tht 

 beautiful drinking vessels so well known in Europe." 



It appears from Dr. Bennett's notes on various species of 

 Nauii/us, that the natives in the New Hebrides dive for 

 Nautilus macromphalus, and also take it in fish-falls baited with 

 an Echinus, whilst the Fijians trap Nautilus pompilius, with a 

 boiled " Rock lobster " for a bait.* 



* Dr. G. Bennett, F.R.S., etc., " Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859," pp. 226-229. 



