PULMONARY GASTEROPODS. 421 



assumes its most brilliant colours, disposed in bands or spots, as exhi- 

 bited in PL. XXII., in which Figs. I. and II. are the adult shells, 

 and Fig. III. the young shell, of Cyprsea Scottii. 



The animal which inhabits this shell is elongated, and is provided 

 with a well-developed mantle, furnished on the inside with a band of 

 tentacles ; it is able to fold itself up in its shell in such a manner as 

 to be enveloped all round. The head is provided with two very long 

 conical tentacles, each having a very large eye, in which a pupil and 

 iris can be distinguished. The foot is oval, elongate, and without 

 operculum, and is well represented in Cyprsea tigris (Fig. 247). The 

 cowries are found at a little distance from the shore, generally in 

 clefts of the rocky bottoms ; but sometimes they bury themselves in 

 the sand. They are timid, shun the light, and only leave their re- 

 treats to creep about in search of food, which appears to be exclu- 

 sively animal. These magnificent molluscs are natives of every sea. 

 One small creature lives in the British Channel ; another and much 

 larger species is found in the Adriatic ; but the Indian Ocean is the 

 home of the largest and finest species of these shells. 



Fig. 247. Cypraea tigris (Linnceus). Fig. 248. Cyprsea cocci- 



nella (Lamarck). 



As objects of curiosity and ornament these shells have been much in 

 request in all ages. The inhabitants of the Asiatic coast make brace- 

 lets, collars, amulets, and head-dresses of them, and use them to orna- 

 ment boxes and harness. In New Zealand the chiefs carry a rare and 

 choice species, suspended from the neck, as a badge of their rank or 

 sign of distinction. This is Cyprsea aurantium. In some parts of 

 India and Africa a very small species of Cowrie passes as current 

 money. These shells are, indeed, extremely numerous, and we can 

 only find room for very brief descriptions of a few of the best known 

 among them. 



The Waving and Zigzag Cowries, whose native country is unknown, 



