100 WESTERN SERIES OF READERS. 



and pools when the tide is low. They are much 

 prettier than their black cousins, but they are far 

 less numerous. The Blue Turbans (Figure 52) 

 are even more unwilling to leave the sea; but still 

 you may perhaps find some live ones in a rock 

 grotto, or clinging to the long stem of some sea- 

 weed. The thin outer coat of the shell is not 

 blue, but brown, though when it is a little worn, 

 as around the apex of the shell, the blue pearl is 

 seen, and a little acid brings it out very readily. 



Although the living shells are seldom found, 

 the hermit crabs often bring up the dead ones, 

 and you might imagine by the motion that the 

 real owner was present. 



Out in the water live other mollusks related to 

 the Turbans; but their shells are too delicate to 

 be trusted near the rocks; so they cling to the 

 great seaweeds, and come up to the surface in fine 

 weather only. Their shells are thin and very 

 beautifully colored. They are called Top-shells, 

 and a picture of one of the prettiest is given in 

 Figure 53. 



Figure 54 shows a little Red Turban, which is 

 not so big as a pea; while the great Wavy Top- 

 shell shown in Figure 55 sometimes grows 

 in southern waters as large as a quart 

 Fig. 54. measure. 



