CAPULOID.E. BUCCINOID^E ; CONES. 



381 



in the midst of the mass of putrefaction caused by the death of 

 the other animals. The Helicina, which is nearly allied to this, 

 is, like the Helix, a terrestrial Mollusk. 



921. The family CAPULOID^E is a small one, containing only a 

 few genera, which have shells more or less closely resembling that 

 of the Limpet, but which must be placed among the Pectini- 

 branchiata, on account of the structure and position of their 

 respiratory organs. There is nothing in their history sufficiently 

 remarkable to detain us. 



922. The family BTJCCINOID^E is a very extensive one, and 

 contains a large proportion of the shells which make the greatest 

 display in Conchological museums. They are all distinguished 

 by the notch at the extremity of the columella for the passage 

 of the siphon ; and the greater or less length of this canal serves 

 to distinguish the different subdivisions. Thus in the Cones, 

 Cowries, &c. (Figs. 578, 579), it is very short ; in the Buc- 

 cinum^ or Whelk, (Fig. 580), however, the canal is longer; 

 whilst in the Murex (Fig. 559), and its allies, the canal is very 

 much prolonged. The Cones, which are so named from the 

 conical figure of their shells, are remarkable for the length and 

 narrowness of the mouth, and for the consequent thinness and 



breadth of the head and neck 

 of the animal. The shells of 

 this genus are in general very 

 beautifully coloured; and their 

 markings possess a peculiar 

 clearness and definiteness. 

 Some of the species are so 

 highly valued by Collectors, 

 as to bring a higher price 

 than almost any other shell 

 as much as three hundred 

 guineas having been given for 

 a single specimen. The Cones 



are found abundantly on the shores of all tropical countries, 

 particularly of Asia ; but they become more rare as they approach 

 the northern hemisphere ; and a few species only are found in the 



FIG. 578 CONUS GENBRAI.IS. 



