80 UNIVALVES. 



are as much admired for the brightness and 

 variety of their colours as for the elegance of their 

 form. They are found in the seas of hot cli- 

 mates. The natives of the Island of Tanna fix 

 them into handles and use them for hatchets. 

 The Voluta Epicopalis or Bishop's Mitre,* is 

 the type of this family. It is white, marked 

 with distinct orange spots. It is frequently 

 found in India. Its inhabitant is said to be of a 

 poisonous nature, and to wound with its pointed 

 proboscis any offender who ventures to touch it. 



VOLUTA Musica. 



MUSIC SHELL. 



Specific Character. Shell oval, with pointed 

 tubercles on the whorls ; aperture emarginate,f 

 columella with eight plaits; outer lip smooth 

 and thick ; shell two or three inches in length, 

 colour white or buff ; it is remarkable for its 

 dark markings, arranged like a stave in music 

 in parallel lines, upon which are spots resembling 

 the notes; from this appearance it derives its 

 name. 



* Plate II. fig. 11. 



t Emarginate, notched, or having the margin excavated 

 by a sinus. 



