54 UNIVALVES CONUS. 



The mention of a few of the most beautiful and vahia- 

 ble species, will be sufficient to give an idea how they are 

 to be appreciated. 



The Conus Ammiralis or Admiral Cone, ranks first 

 among the beauties and rarities of this genus. Of the 

 High-admiral alone the varieties are incalculable; next 

 come the Vice-admirals, Guinea-admirals (Conus Genu- 

 anus), and others equally rare ; most of which, when fine, 

 are frequently valued at from five to twenty guineas. 

 But this valuation appears trifling when compared to the 

 sum that has been set upon the Cedo-nuUi; wliich, in- 

 credible as it may appear, amounted to no less than three 

 hundred guineas ! 



Among the other rarities of the Cone genus, the Conus 

 Arausiacus is much valued, as is also the Conus Glaucus 

 (the blue or grey Cone), Conus Magus (Magician), Co- 

 nus Nobilis (Yellow Tiger), Conus Arachnoideus (Spi- 

 der's-web), the Conus Cingulum (Box-wood Cone), with 

 an elevated girdle round it from the Friendly Isles; and 

 the varieties of the Zebra Cones from the South Seas. 



The generality of Cones have a smooth surface, and in 

 most instances bear a high natural pohsh; however, some, 

 as the Conus Nussatella and Granulatus, are covered 

 with granulated transverse striae, and even globular tu- 

 bercles. 



There is perhaps no other genus which affords so much 

 beauty and diversity of coloring and marking as the Co- 

 nus; the Conus Literatus, for instance, has its spots ar- 

 ranged in such a manner, as often to resemble Hebrew, 

 Greek, or Arabic characters. The Conus Ebraeus is 

 likewise subject to similar appearances. In other species 

 the colors are rendered into different shades of cloudings. 



