PEARLY NAUTILUS. 411 



with the raised white carved figures upon it, 

 which have a pretty effect. I could not pro- 

 cure any with the soft parts, but was told by a 

 gentleman that he had seen them with the fish, 

 but it was always taken out and thrown away, 

 and the shell alone preserved. 



One of the shells cut, and the aperture turned 

 downwards, forms the base ; the keel of the 

 shell, with the aperture uppermost, is placed 

 upon it, forming a pretty vase of antique form, 

 and highly esteemed in Europe as ornaments for 

 the mantel-piece ; they are sold at Manilla for 

 a few reals the pair. 



The inhabitant of this beautiful shell, which I 

 brought safely to England, has been described 

 and dissected by my esteemed friend, R. Owen, 

 Esq., and published, with splendid engravings, 

 by the Curators of the Museum of the Royal 

 College of Surgeons in London. 



