74 UNIVALVES. STROMBUS. 



species), and Strombus Gigas, or the West India Conch 

 Shell. There are others also that have nearly the same 

 peculiarity, such as the Strombus Epidromis, or Main- 

 sail-alatus, the Strombus Vittatus, Canarium, &c. &c. &c. 

 Though these latter species never grov*^ to any magni- 

 tude, some of the former, as the Latissimus and Gigas, 

 frequently attain a considerable size. 



Among the oddities of this genus, may be included the 

 Strombus Luhuanus, Gibberulus, &c. which, from having 

 some part of their whorls more gibbous or swollen than 

 others, are generally known by the name of Pouter-alatoe, 

 and are with great propriety called so, on account of their 

 resemblance to that species of columbae, or pigeons, called 

 Pouters. There are a great many beautiful varieties, some 

 having scarlet, pink, or orange mouths, whereas others 

 have the interior of their shells of a rich blue, purple, or 

 yellow color. 



The Strombus Fusus or Spindle, of which there are two 

 varieties, nearly resembles a Murex, in having the beak 

 rather straight; but approaches nearer to the genus Strom- 

 bus, in being smooth, and having the lip toothed. The 

 first variety of this shell has a short subulate beak, but 

 the second variety (known by the name of the Long- 

 beaked Spindle) is easily distinguishable from it, as the 

 shell altogether is much more tapering and delicate, and 

 its beak, when perfect, is nearly as long as all the rest of 

 the shell. It is considered as one of the great rarities in 

 collections, and is from the Straits of Sunda. 



Among the Strombi which are diflferently formed to 

 those already mentioned, the Strombus Tuberculatus,and 

 the three following species, may prove sufficient examples ; 

 viz. Strombus Palustris or Ladle, from the meadows or 

 Savannahs of the Indian Ocean ; Strombus Ater or Black 



