4 INTRODUCTION. 



are principally composed of iridescent shells, judiciously 

 inlaid and blended with tortoise-shell and other sub- 

 stances. 



Some species of the oyster and muscle genera are 

 famous for the production of pearls, the value and beauty 

 of which can perhaps be best estimated by those who are 

 in the habit of purchasing and wearing them. 



There are many of the larger species of buccina and 

 strombi, which, after having had the apex, or extreme 

 tip broken ofi', become excellent substitutes for a trum- 

 pet or horn, and are frequently used by the New Zea- 

 landers for that purpose. 



The famous Tyrian dye, so celebrated by the antients 

 for the luxuriant purple color it gave to the robes of roy- 

 alty, is an extract from a shell-fish of the genus Murex, 

 and commonly known under the appellation of the Pur- 

 pura, or purple-fish. An account of the method of using 

 it in marking linen, &c. is given by Mr. Mawe, in his 

 Travels through the Gold and Diamond Districts of Bra- 

 zil, 2d edit. p. 70. 



ENEMIES TO SHELLS AND SHELL FISH. 



It appears that shell-fish, besides affording food for man, 

 are destined to supply other creatures also with nourish- 

 ment. It is said that monkies are particularly fond of 

 most species of bivalves, and the mode they take to catch 

 them is as follows : — At low water, the monkey repairs to 

 the shore, and searches for oysters and muscles left by the 

 tide; the fish, for want of water, generally have their 

 valves partly open j the subtle animal, foreseeing the dan- 



