20 CALIFORNIA SEA-SHELLS. 



and try to finds its adaption to its surroundings. 

 In this way, shell-gathering becomes something 

 more than a mere pastime, tor it brings us face 

 to face with the great questions of lite, of design, 

 and of final causes. 



Monoceros engonatum, Conr., Fig. 3, PI. Ill, 

 resembles the last species in many respects, but 

 is more angular, as its name indicates. The 

 whorls are sharply shouldered, and the shell is 

 smoothish and brown-dotted. By some, it is 

 doubted whether this is more than a variety of 

 the last species. It is more common in the south- 

 ern part of the State than in the northern. A 

 careful study of the variations of the species 

 which are found in different localities, and which 

 live under different conditions, is highly interest- 

 ing, and accurate observations by any one may 

 prove valuable to science. There are many 

 things yet to be learned about our more common 

 animals, and no one need despair of discovering 

 new truths. 



Chorus Belcheri, Hds., Fig.2, PL III, is a huge 

 shell, with a long canal and a tapering spire, 

 bristling with a crown of long, sharp points. Col- 

 or, brown ; length, four to six inches ; more com- 

 mon in southern waters. 



In sheltered coves the waves often wash up 

 great numbers of little shells, which may be 

 gathered at low tide. A very common as well 

 as very beautiful shell which can often be thus 

 found in great numbers is Amphissa corrugata, 

 Eve., Fig. 4, PL III, Wrinkled Amphissa. If 

 you search among the stones at very low tide, you 

 will find probably find some of them alive, 



