THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE GROUP. 453 



Dovt; Shells. 



The little "dove shells" belong to a tropical family"^ to which more 

 than eight hundred species have been referred by conchologists. Of that 

 number fifteen or more species belonging to two genera have been reported 

 from these islands. Among so many similar forms the characteristics dis- 

 tinguishing the species are often obscure and confusing. This is especially true 

 in the present family, as the largest species are scarcely an inch in length, 

 while the great majority are less than half that size. However, they are all 

 solid shells of varying form with short anterior canals. The inner lip ante- 

 riorly is usually tubereulated ; the outer lip as a rule is thickened and 

 variously roughened on its inner margin. The most abundant and best known 

 representative of the family in the islands is the little Niihau shell.'''' It is 

 a trifle over a third of an inch in length and varies greatly in the markings 

 and sculptui'e of the shell, but usually has the base of the columella stained 

 with chocolate. These pretty bead-like shells, especially those from the Island 

 of Niihau, were formerly used by the Hawaiians in making shell necklaces or 

 leis. Necklaces made from them are still manufactured for sale and are much 

 prized by tourists. 



A slightly larger, and perhaps more typical form, is .shown in CohimbeUa 

 turturina. It is white, variegated with clouds of yellowish-brown. The col- 

 umella and teeth of the outer lip are usually stained with violet. The zebra 

 dove shell "'^ has a higher spire and the white ground is so curiously marked 

 with zebra-like chestnut markings that it always attracts attention along the 

 beach in spite of its small size. 



A genus of "grey" shells"* with three species, one of which j\Ir. Thaanum 

 includes in his manuscript list of Hawaiian shells as occurring on Hawaii, and 

 which also occurs on Oahu, is included in this family, though it is admitted that 

 they bear Irat little re.seniblance to the typical genera. They are all longitudinally 

 ribbed, the ribs broken up into nodules by revolving lines. The form Engina 

 farinosa, a yellowish-brown shell with indistinct dusky bands, is found on 

 Hawaii and doubtless elsewhere in the group. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



SHELLS FROM THE SEA-SIIORE: PART TWO. 

 The Cone Shells. 



The cone shells ^ are sufficiently characterized by their common name to 

 need no further general description than to say that in addition to being 

 cone-shaped, the aperture is long and narrow, the lips are straight and parallel 

 and are always without teeth or ridges. Perhaps four hundred species are 



«'=■ Cnlmnbemda: "' Columbelln variims. •■■~ CuUniihrUn zehvtl. ^"Engina. ' Conidec. 



