3354 



THE MOLLUSKS OR SHELLFISH 



same color as the bark of the coral. Pedicularia and Erato also belong to this family, 

 although the shell of the former appears to possess no relationship with its other 

 members. 



The wing-shells, or strombs (Strombidce), include some very large species, 

 which when young somewhat resemble a long-spired cone. When mature', however, 



MONEY COWRIES. 



the outer lip thickens and spreads out, and upon the edge may be developed six, or 

 more, claw-like appendages {Pterocera) . The aperture is notched anteriorly for the 

 short respiratory siphon, and the outer lip situated near this siphonal notch, and also 



often posteriorly at its junction 

 with the whorl above. The general 

 form of the shell is shortly or 

 elongately fusiform, or conical. The 

 animals have a well-developed, 

 ringed, contractile proboscis, with 

 the mouth at the end, at the base 

 of which arise two enormous eye- 

 stalks, supporting on their inner side 

 the true, but very small tentacles. 



The eyes are situated at the 

 truncate ends of the long, cylindrical 

 stalks, and, like those of the Cepha- 

 lopods, are more highly organized 

 than in many fishes, having a distinct 

 crystalline lens, with a highly colored 

 iris. The foot is unlike that of ordi- 

 nary gastropods, and not adapted for 

 crawling; being a powerful, muscular 



WING-SHELI, (Strombus lentiginosus). 



