BUCCINUM WHELK. 87 



Whelk, into which he contrives to wriggle him- 

 self, maintaining his hold by means of a hooked 

 claw, which he fastens to any projection in the 

 shell, while his head and front claws hang out at 

 the aperture. Thus secure, he continues till 

 increased in size he is compelled to abandon his 

 retreat and seek for a tenement of more ample 

 dimensions ; then he may be seen traversing the 

 sands, searching with patience and assiduity for 

 another abode, and examining each empty 

 shell, till he meets with one better suited to his 

 wants. 



BUCCINUM Harpa* 

 HARP SHELL. 



Specific character. Shell oval, turbinate with 

 longitudinal, acute, and curved varices ; mouth 

 expanding, notched at the base ; outer lip re- 

 volute ; columellar lip smooth, flattened ; va- 

 riously marbled or banded with fawn colour or 

 reddish brown ; size from two to three inches 

 long, and nearly two-thirds as broad. 



There are several varieties of this species, 

 which is much distinguished for its beauty. 

 They are found principally in the Indian ocean, 

 and generally in the seas of hot climates. They 

 are furnished with a horny operculum. 



* Plate III. figure 2. 



