NOTES. 49 



Nautilus, for, like the latter, he frequently rises to the surface 

 of the sea, by ejecting a quantity ot water, and thus diminishing 

 the specific gravity of his shell , nay, more, he guides his mimic 

 vessel by means of several oar-shaped tintaculae, and also ex- 

 pands a little membrane, which answers the purpose of a sail. 

 These, on the approach of danger are immediately hauled do^\Ti, 

 and by a rapid absorption of water, the Argonauta betakes him- 

 self to his natural dwelling in the fathomless abyss. — Burrows. 



The Nautilus Pompilius, inhabits the Indian and African ocean, is 

 often very large, and finely variegated with brown flexuous streaks 

 under the outer covering which is white, within of a most beauti- 

 ful pearly gloss ; of this species the inhabitants of the east make 

 drinking cups, — Linnaeus. 



Note 1, page 22, line 2. 

 But though enrolVd in beauty's lines, 

 Conus ! Thy predecessor shines. 

 There is, perhaps, no genus throughout the whole of the shell 

 tribes, which holds a more important station than the Conus, and 

 it is difficult to decide whether they are more to be valued for 

 their variety than for their beauty. 



Note r, page 23, line 2. 

 Thy spotted suit so finely wrought, 

 Cypria ! might wake a serious thought. 

 The genus Cyprea, was early dedicated to the fabulous divi- 

 nity of Cyprus, The Cyprea moneta, is collected by the negro 

 women of the Indian Isles, three days before and after full moon, 

 and then transported into Siam, Bengal, and Africa, where it is 

 used by the natives as a substitute for money, vast quantities are 

 imported into this country, for the purposes of traffic ; and, at 

 least 100 tons of them are annually sent to Guinea. 

 F 



