UNIVALVES NAUTILUS. 81 



NAUTILUS Pearly Sailor. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XIX. 



Dnr. L— Fig. 1. N. scrobiculatus Dit.L— Fig. 2, N. pompilius. 

 Div. II.— Fig. 3. N. spirula. 



Shell univalve, divided into several chambers, communicating with 

 each other hy an aperture, 



THE species of the Nautilus strongly resemble each 

 other in structure, and have usually a dingy white color, 

 with yellow markings. The most striking character of 

 the genus is, that the whorls are divided into separate 

 compartments or chambers, which are connected by a 

 slender syphon, running spirally through the shell. 

 The syphon is sometimes central and sometimes conti- 

 guous to the surface. 



The general form of the Nautilus is spiral or scroll- 

 like, which is particularly exemplified in the shells of the 

 first and second division: but in the third, the species are 

 conical or dentiform, and bear some resemblance to the 

 Dental ia. The whorls are contiguous in the species of 

 the first division, and detached or separated in those of 

 the second and third. 



The N. pompilius, when bisected, displays the pearly 

 concamerations for which the gfenus is celebrated. Fine 

 specimens of this species are often converted by the 

 inhabitants of the East into drinking cups, on the 

 surface of which they engrave various devices and 

 ornaments ; they also frequently remove the outer coat- 

 ing entirely, by which the beautiful pearly appearance 

 of the shell becomes visible. 

 G 



