UNIVALVES. VOLUTA. 91 



The fusiform or spindle-shaped volutes constitute a large 

 portion of the genus, and are usually known by the name 

 of mitres ; some of them are very elegantly formed and 

 finely tinted in their colouring. The species most worthy 

 of remark are the V. patriarchalis, the V. pertusa, V. pa- 

 palis, and V. episcopalis or bishop's mitre, which is fre- 

 quently found in India; the inhabitant or fish is said to 

 be of a poisonous nature, and to wound with a kind of 

 pointed trunk those who touch it. The natives of the island 

 of Tanna fix these shells in handles, and use them as 

 hatchets. Among the rest of the elongated form may be 

 enumerated the V. sanguisuga, V. caffra, V. vulpecula, 

 and V. plicaria, some of which are considered rare. 



The V. musica, or music shell, though not rare, is very 

 interesting, from the circumstance of having its markings 

 arranged in parallel lines, like the lines or a stave in mu- 

 sic, upon which are placed small dots or punctures, in 

 exact resemblance of the notes and other characters used 

 in music. The wild music or bat Volute (V. vespertilio) 

 is a curious variety of the above ; as is also the V. ebraea, 

 which is esteemed a rarity. 



Among the more beautiful species of the Volutes, are 

 the V. vexillum or orange flag Volute, V. imperialis, V. 

 Pacifica, the V. lapponica, V. scapha, and V. Magellanica. 



The species of Volutes call Melons are mostly of a large 

 size; and some of them, as the V. Ethiopica or Ethiopian 

 crown, and its varieties, have their whirls or spires sur- 

 rounded with elevated hollow spines, forming a perfect 

 coronation or thorny crown: most of this division are pa- 

 pillary at the tip. 



The heavy and angulated turnips are worthy of notice 

 among the Volutes, not only on account of their great size, 

 but for their excessive weight, which, in comparison to 

 most other shells, is really immense. 



The different species of Volutes are found in various 



