442 



THE OCEAN WORLD. 



Cyprcea tigris (Fig. 255). The cowries are found at a little distance 

 from the shore, generally in clefts of the rocky bottoms ; but some- 

 times they bury themselves in the sand. They are timid, shun the 

 light, and only leave their retreats to creep about in search of food, 



Fig. 255. Cyprsea tigris (Linnaeus). 



Fig. 256. Cyprsea cocci- 

 nella (Lamarck). 



which appears to be exclusively animal. These magnificent molluscs 

 are natives of every sea. One small species 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. 



As objects of curiosity and ornament these shells have been much 



Figs. 257 and 258. Cypraea undata (Lamarck). 



Figs. 259 and 260. Cypraea zigzag 

 (Linnaeus). 



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

 bracelets, collars, amulets, and head-dresses of them, and use them 

 to ornament boxes and harness. In New Zealand and the Fijis the 

 chiefs carry a rare and choice species (Cyprcea auran/mm), suspended 

 from the neck, as a badge of their rank or sign of distinction. The 

 species are, indeed, extremely numerous, and we can only find room 

 for very brief descriptions of a few of the best known among them.. 



