114 UNIVALVES. TURBO. 



and ponderous shells, and very many are of a pearly na- 

 ture when uncoated. The first division has the pillar 

 margin of the aperture dilated, and the pillar imperforate. 

 Amongst the leading species may be reckoned the Turbo 

 obtusatus. Turbo neritoides, and Turbo littoreus, or 

 common periwinckle, a shell well known to most per- 

 sons. Its fish, when boiled, is not unfrequently eaten; 

 it is an inhabitant of most European shores ; and it is said 

 of them by sailors, that, if seen crawling high up the 

 rocks, it is an indication of the approach of stormy wea- 

 ther ; if, on the contrary, they descend, a calm is sure to 

 follow. 



The next class or division is that whose shells are solid 

 and imperforate; among the principal species are the 

 Turbo petholatus or ribband Turbo, Turbo chrysosto- 

 mus or gold mouth. Turbo pagodus or Chinese pagoda. 

 Turbo calcar or the spur, and Turbo smaragdus or the 

 emerald Turbo ; to which may be added, the Turbo 

 cochlus, cornutus, nigerrimus, marmoratus, and olea- 

 rius, the two latter of which sometimes attain a gigantic 

 size. 



The next palpable variation consists in the pillar of 

 some species being perforated or umbilicated. The Tur- 

 bo pica or magpye Turbo (as being the most known and 

 easiest procured) will be the best to refer to as an exam- 

 ple. The Turbo margaritaceus or pearly Turbo, the 

 Turbo argyrostomus or silver mouth, and the Turbo del- 

 phinus or dolphin shell, also belong to this division. 



A further alteration or variation takes place in those 

 species that are less solid, at the same time that they are 

 cancellate. The wentle-trap (from the German windle- 

 treppe, or winding-staircase)as being one of the most beau- 

 tiful as well as rarest shells known, will, with its op- 



