Trochus, 59 



conveXj squamose^ radiate at tlie margin/^ TMs 

 is quite a simjDle affair to some clescriiDtionSj and 

 simple in fact it is to one^ wlio, by attentive study, 

 has become familiarized witli the meaning of tlie 

 terms. To one also wlio is acquainted witli tL.© 

 Greek and Latin tongues^ tliey will be sufficiently 

 plain^ altliougli lie lias never seen tliem applied 

 before, for tliey are all derived from tliose dead 

 languages^ as tliey are called^ and so convey tlieii* 

 own meaning to every educated naturalist, no 

 matter of wliat nation be may be ; and lience tlieir 

 cliief value. It is not necessary for oui' readers to 

 trouble themselves about tlie meanino' of sucb terms 

 at present ; by and by it will be necessary for tliem 

 to do so, if tliey wisli to prosecute the study of 

 any natural science. 



But about tlie Imperial Trochus, with its ^^ orbi- 

 cularly conicaP^ shell — that term we may explain 

 as round and cone-like; a reference to Fig. 4, 

 Plate lY., will show what is meant by this more 

 clearly than words can, and likewise exhibit the 

 beautiful markings of this species, with its ground 

 tint of rich violet-brown. This beauty is often 

 obscured by calcareous incrustations and marine 

 plants, showing that the mollusk is sluggish in its 

 habits — a slothful creature. So it is with human 



