426 THE OCEAN WOULD. 



much more numerous and varied in form than those of If. 

 copalis. 



In the genus Valuta, from volvere, to turn, the shell is oval, more 

 or less tun-bellied. A spiral rising, slightly mammelate, the opening 

 large, the edges notched, without channel ; the columellar edge is 

 lightly excavated and arranged in oblique folds. The right edge is 

 arched, thick, or cutting, according to the species. 



The animal has a large head, provided with two tentacles. The 

 mouth terminates in a thick trunk furnished with hooked teeth. The 

 foot is very large, furrowed in front, and projecting from all parts of 

 the shell, hut without operculum. The Volutse live on the sands 

 near the shore ; sometimes they are found high and dry, left by the 

 retreating tide. Their shells, of various forms, are ornamented with 

 the most lively colours, the surface covered with irregular lines, the 

 tint of which is generally in strong contrast with that of the ground. 



Among the more remarkable species illustrated in PL. XXIII., we 

 may note : Fig. I., Valuta undulata ; Fig. II., Valuta cymlium ; Fig. 

 III., Voluta delessertii ; Fig. IV., Valuta musica ; Fig. V., Valuta im- 

 perialis ; Fig. VI., Voluta scapha ; and Fig. VII., Voluta vexillum. 



The third family, Conidte, contains Pleurostoma and Conus. 



The genus Conus is especially rich in species, as well as numerous in 

 many individuals. They are much sought after by collectors, many being 

 rare, and so command high prices. The shells belonging to this group 

 present a very remarkable uniformity of shape, at the same time that 

 the colours are very fine, and much varied in design. The shell is 

 thick, solid, inversely conical, wreathing spirally from the base to the 

 apex, the spiral being generally short, the last turn constituting alone 

 the greater part of the surface of the shell. The opening extends 

 nearly along its whole length, occupying all the height of the last 

 whirl. It is always narrow, its edges quite parallel ; the columella 

 presents neither fold nor curvature ; the right edge is plain, sharp, and 

 thin, detached from the front of the last spiral by a sloping hollow, 

 more or less deep. 



The animal which inhabits the Conus shell creeps upon a foot, 

 elongated, narrow, truncate in front, furnished behind with a horny 

 rudimentary operculum, altogether insufficient to cover the opening. 

 The head, which is large, is elongated into a little snout, or muzzle, 

 at the base of which rises on either side a conical tentacle, having an 



