90 UNIVALVES. BUCCINUM. 



grow to a large size, yet even the adults retain their cha- 

 raeteristic fraj^ihty and thinness ; their form isalmc«t in- 

 variably very globose, but the mouth, unlike the helmets, 

 is rarely beset with teeth. 



TheBuccinnm dolium or spotted tun, and theBaccinuin 

 galea or ribbed tun, are the most abundant species; the 

 Buccinum perdix or partridge tun is also well known to 

 most collectors. It is perliaps worthy of remark, that the 

 Buccinuui galea has been known to attain the size of a 

 man's head. 



The species nearest allied to the tuns, are the helmets, 

 but they are distinguished from them by having their 

 two lips, with few exceptions, beset with a number of 

 strong and articulate teeth; at the saii.e time having their 

 outsides covered with strong and prominent protuberances 

 or knobs. Among the species of this description may be 

 enumerated the three following, viz. Buccinum plicatum 

 or plaited helmet, Buccinum cornutum or horned helmet, 

 and Buccinum rufum or bull's-mouth, which is easily 

 distinguishable by its nodulous or knotty belts and the 

 fiery-red glow of its mouth. 



There arc also other well known helmets, as the drafl- 

 board, zebra, pin-cushion, and peacock species; the two 

 latter of which are considered rare. However, one of 

 the rarest species of tlve Buccina is to be met with in 

 that division of the genus which contains the sort of shells 

 usually called harps, of which there are several exceed- 

 ingly beautiful and elegant varieties : the principal of 

 which are the tortoise-shell, David's, bleeding, painted, 

 and many-ridged harps; the latter of which is the Buc- 

 cinum costatum of LinnsL'us, but is more generally known 

 as the many-ridged harp; il surpasses all other varieties 

 in point of elegance and saircity, and of course is sought 



