CLASS II. GASTEROPODA: ORDER 2. BRANCIIIFERA. 531 



their mouths downward, so as not to crush the body of the fish within ; the broken pieces being 

 picked off, there will appear a white vein, lying transversely in a little furrow or cleft next to the 

 head of the fish, which must be digged out with the stitf point of a horse-hair pencil, being made 

 short and tapering. The letters, figures, or what else that shall be made on the linen and pei-haps 

 silk too, will presently appear of a pleasant light-green color, and if placed in the sun will change 

 into the following colors, that is, if in winter about noon; if in the summer, an hour or two after 

 sun-rising, and so much before setting ; for in the best of the day in summer the colors will come 

 on so fast that the succession of each will scarcely be distinguished. Next to the first light- 

 green it will appear of a deep-green, and in a few minutes change into a sea-green ; after which, 

 in a few minutes more, it will alter into a watchet-blue ; from that, in a little time more, it will 

 be of a purplish-red ; after which, lying an hour or two, supposing the sun still shining, it will 

 be of a very deep purple-red, beyond which the sun can do no more. But then the last and most 

 beautiful color, after washing in scalding water and soap, will, the matter being again put into 

 the sun or wind to dry, be of a fair bright crimson, or near to the prince's color, which afterward, 

 notwithstanding there is no use of any stiptic to bind the color, will continue the same, if well 

 ordered, as I have found in handkerchiefs that have been washed more than forty times ; only it 

 will be somewhat allayed from what it was after the first washing." 



The Red Whelk, Fusus antiquus, is of considerable size, and found on the coasts of the 

 British Isles. Like many other shells, on being held to the ear, it produces a roaring sound, 

 popularly supposed to be an echo from the sea. 



" The tinted sea-shell borne away, 

 Far from the ocean's pebbly shore, 

 Still loves to hum the choral lay, 



The whispering mermaids taught of yore." 



This species is hence called Roaring Buckie in Scotland ; in the Shetland cottages it is used 

 as a lamp. Other species are the Dog Whelk, JVassa reticulata ; Augur-Shell, Terehra macu- 

 lata, (fee. Several small species of buccinum are found on our coasts. 



The Purple, Purpura Fersica, is also very destructive to mussel beds, and yields a dull purple 

 dye. The F. lapillus, and some other species, are found on our shores. 



THE HARP-SHELL. 



:4 



TETE DOLIUM GALEA. 



Genus HARPA : Harpa. — This includes the Harp Shell, H. ventricosa, abundant on the 

 shores of the Mauritius and of the neigliboring islands. For this and analogous species, there 

 are fisheries in those regions, the animals being caught at night or near sun-rise, by nets attached 

 to rakes. 



Genus DOLIUM : Dolium. — This includes the Dolium galea, found in the Mediterranean, 

 generally on reefs. 



