THE IMPERIAL HARP-SHELL. 



377 



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 color 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 belong- 

 ing 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 halfway 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 



LITTLE MARP-SHELL.-rtarpa minor. IMPERIAL HARP-5HELL.-//arpa Imperlalls. 



and solid, deeply grooved and ridged on its upper surface, and extremely heavy in 

 proportion to its dimensions. Its color 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 IMPERIAL 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 an-* 



