104 ZOOLOGY OF INDIA. 



be manufactured. The argonaut and the common and um- 

 bilicated nautili, — the two former common in collections, — 

 also occur in these seas. 



In the brief account which we have here to give of these 

 productions, it is unnecessary to arrange our remarks in 

 conformance with the order of systematic writers, more es- 

 pecially as we shall mention only a few of the most splen- 

 did. The genus Conus, celebrated for the beauty of its 

 species, has numerous representatives in the Indian seas. 

 Conus marmoreus, with black and white spots, resembling 

 brecciated marble, C. cedo-mdli, of which all the varieties 

 are highly prized on account of their great beauty, C. am- 

 miraiis, milhpunctatxis, literatus, generalis, princeps, auran- 

 tius, and many others, the mere enumeration of which 

 would be unprofitable, are well known as productions of 

 India. Some of these are considered as of great value. A 

 variety of C. ccdo-nulli, according to Dillwyn, has been 

 valued at three hundred guineas. Of the beautiful genua 

 Oliva we need mention only 0. erylhrostoma, viaura, Uxtilis, 

 irinans, and fulininans. Many rare and beautiful species 

 of Cypma from India adorn our cabinets, such as C. Argus, 

 so named from its eyelike spots ; C. viappa, the markings 

 of which bear some resemblance to the sinuous coast-lines 

 of a map ; C. tigris, the most common, but at the same 

 time one of the most beautiful species; C. tesludianaria, 

 which resembles tortoise-shell ; and C. moncla. and helvola, 

 used as money. The Ocula oviformis, resembling a large 

 white egg, and various species of MargincUa, from India, 

 are well known. Of the fine genus VolvM may be men- 

 tioned V. melo, iinpcrialis, pdlis-serpentis, iiaiUica, musica, 

 and vexUlum, the latter, striped with white and orange, 

 greatly prized by collectors. The MitrcB are almost pecu- 

 liarly Indian, and the finest species have received distinct- 

 ive names from a fancied resemblance to the headgear of 

 the ecclesiastical dignitaries, such as pajialis, ponhjicalis, 

 cardinalis, and episcopalis. Terebra maculata and flammsa, 

 Eburna Zeylanica, arcolata, and spirata, may be mentioned 

 as examples of these genera, and the like might be done 

 with others ; but where technical terms alone could be em- 

 ployed, it would be useless to adduce a long list of the many 

 beautiful species of Buccina, Doha, Purpura, Harpiz, Cas- 

 aiict, Tritona, Muricr.s, Pyrulcc, Fusi, Turbinellcz, and other 



