50 Bcaidlfal Shells. 



is found in tlie Indian Ocean^ from wliGnce it ia 

 also brouglit. Fig. 2, tlie Woodcock's Head (M, 

 haustellum) , from tlio Latin haiistus — a dranglit; 

 the bill of the Woodcock being adapted for sucking. 

 This term is also applied to insects that live by 

 suction. The shell, it will be seen, is destitute of 

 spines, but it is ribbed and beautifully marked. Fig. 3 

 is worthy of its name — the Eoyal Murex {M. regius), 

 from regno — to reign. It is a splendid species, 

 of the rich colouring of which art can give but a 

 faint impression. It is brought from the western 

 coast of Central and South America, where, as well 

 as in the islands of the South Pacific, many new 

 shells of the genus Murex have been discovered. 



One shell found on our own coast, often mistaken 

 for a ^\"hclk, is the Pclican's-foot Strombus, called 

 in scientific language, Stromhus pes-pelicanuSj which 

 is but a Latinized form of the English name. This 

 shell varies greatly in shape in different stages of 

 its growth, and by an inexperienced conchologist, 

 the young, middle-aged, and old Strombus might 

 be taken for distinct species. In the SfromhiJce 

 family, so called we know not why, the same word 

 in Latin meaning a kind of shell-fish, are some 

 species which have produced pearls. One member 

 of the family which we sometimes see in collections. 



