8o HABITS OF THE MOLLUSKS. 



It is seldom found on the beach, but is obtained 

 from the seaweed, at some distance off the shore. 



In bright weather, the mollusks crawl up the stems 

 of the seaweed and rest near the surface of the water. 

 At such times the collector goes out in a boat, hauls 

 a quantity of the weed over the rail, and easily cap- 

 tures a quantity of these beauties. Should he go out 

 in the wrong part of the day, or when the sky is 

 dark, it is probable that the seaweed will be found 

 quite deserted, and that our pretty friends will be 

 enjoying themselves down below the waves. Too 

 delicate to bear the beating of the surf upon the 

 rocks, their home is in deep water, where they cling 

 to the long seaweeds, and sway to and fro; or, when 

 the weather is too rough, sink to more quiet abodes. 

 The color is yellowish or reddish brown, striped 

 with violet. The aperture is somewhat angular, and 

 the edge of the lip is sharp and thin. Its length is 

 seldom more than one inch. 



Quite similar in general form 

 and habits, is another Top- 

 shell, named Calliostoma caii- 

 aliailatitin^ Mart., can-al-ik-u- 

 la'-tum, and shown in Fig. 65. 

 This shell is larger than that 

 of the last species, though the 

 engraving represents quite a 

 ^i^-^5. large specimen. Its shape is 



conical, and the whorls are girdled with deep spiral 

 channels, between raised ridges. The surface is light 

 brown, or ash-colored, though the shell is rainbow- 

 tinted within. The thin exterior layer may readily 

 be removed by a weak acid, if one wishes to bring 

 out the pearly interior. 



