GENUS XXV. ^TROMBUS. I 1 ,j 



The shells of the last division, of which LinujEus describes only 

 four, tog-ether with S. Om'scus, can scarcely be said to have 

 an additional hollow ; at least, if they have any, it is very ob- 

 scure ; v\'hereas it is very large and conspicuous in most of the 

 species. The mouths of the tapering Strombi agree very nearly 

 with some of the tapering Murices. 



I cannot find that the animals of these shells are described 

 by any author except Adanson, and he only takes notice of 

 that of one species, which he says is almost like the animal of 

 the Murices ; but as Strombus Gigas is so common a shell, 

 most probably the animal is known to many. 



Linnaeus has described 29 species, Gmelin has added 22, 

 and Dr. Turton 2. Total, 53. 



Lamarck has divided this genus into three, as follow : 

 Strombus. Shell ventricose ; the base terminating in a short 

 hollow or truncated canal ; the right lip enlarges with 

 age into a wing, entire or with only one lobe, having at 

 the lower part a hollow or groove distinct from that at 

 the base (see Sti'omhus pugilis, f. 85). 

 Pterocera. Shell ventricose ; the base terminating in a 

 lengthened canal ; the right lip dilating with age into a 

 digitated wing, and having a hollow groove near the 

 base (see Strombus Lambis, f. 86). 

 RosTELLARiA. SlicU fiisifomi ; the base terminating in a 

 canal like a sharp beak ; the riglit lip entire or toothed, 

 more or less dilating with age into a wing, and hav- 



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