THE COWRIES. 59 



spadicea, Gray, IyU-po'-ni-a spa-dis'-e-a. So distinct 

 is it from all other species, that it would 

 surely be recognized by one who is at 

 all familiar with its form and color. 

 In fact, it is our chief representative 

 of the great genus Cypr&a, which is 

 so finely represented in the warmer 

 oceans. Most of the Cowries live in 

 the South Pacific and Indian oceans, 

 and some of the smaller species are used 

 as money by the natives of adjacent 

 Fig. 43. islands and countries. Specimens of 



the large spotted Tiger Cowry may be found in 

 almost every house in our country, and what well- 

 bred baby has not enjoyed playing with a Cowry- 

 shell? 



When young, the Cowries have thin, conical shells, 

 with a short spire and a large aperture. As time 

 goes on, the outer lip increases in size and thickness, 

 while the spire often becomes completely hidden 

 under the advancing whorls. 



Our Cowry has a slightly curved aperture as long 

 as the shell, and the lips are set with numerous teeth. 

 These lips are white, but the back of the shell is 

 marked with a ring of dark brown, while the central 

 part is of a lighter shade. 



Live shells of this species are bright and glossy, 

 while dead ones are dull and lustreless. By live 

 shells are meant those which were gathered when the 

 living animal was inside, and from which it has been 

 removed by artificial means. These are always more 

 perfect than dead specimens, by which we mean the 

 empty shells that we pick up along the shore, and 

 which are usually somewhat defaced. 



