LITTLE HARP-SHELL. tforjxi minor. 



IMPRHIAL HARP-SHELL. Harpa imperialis. 



has attained his full dimensions, searches for an empty shell of the Whelk and therein 

 ensconces himself, safe from almost every enemy except man. The colour and general 

 appearance of the Whelk are too well known to need description. 



BELOW the whelk are seen two shells, one empty, and the other still retaining its 

 inhabitant, both belonging to the same species. 



This is a most remarkable shell, with hardly a vestige of whorl, and so wide-mouthed 

 and so shallow that it almost looks as if it were the half of some bivalve shell 



This animal is called the CONCHOLEPAS, and appears to be the only species belonging to 

 that genus. It is a native of Peru, as its name" imports, is found along the shores in great 

 plenty, and sometimes attains considerable dimensions. As may be seen by reference to 

 the illustration, the foot of the animal is very wide and thick, and its eyes are set half- 

 way up the tentacles. The spot where the animal is attached to the interior of the 

 shell is shown in the right-hand figure. The shell is very thick and solid, deeply grooved 

 and ridged on its upper surface, and extremely heavy in proportion to its dimensions. 

 Its colour is very dark sooty brown on the exterior, and dull white within, something like 

 the peculiar white of inferior porcelain, or the tint of skimmed milk. 



THE sweeping curves, broad swelling lip, and regular ridges, of the next genus of shells, 

 have earned for them the popular title by which they are known. 



About nine or ten species belong to this pretty genus, some of which are rare and 

 costly. The IMPEEIAL HARP-SHELL, which is represented on the left-hand of the 

 engraving, is still a valuable shell ; but in former days, when the facilities of commerce 

 were far less than at present, it could only be purchased at a most extravagant rate. A 

 small specimen is now valued at about fifteen shillings or a pound, and a fine one will 

 cost about three pounds ; but, in former days, as much as fifty pounds have been paid for 

 a specimen which can now be obtained for one-twentieth of the sum. A similar 

 diminution has taken place in the cost of nearly all shells. 



The Harp-shells are only found in the hottest seas, and are taken mostly on the 

 shores of the Mauritius, Ceylon, and the Philippine Islands. They frequent the softer and 



