THE BAT VOLUTE. 



by the sudden emission of a purplish liquid, having to human nostrils a peculiarly nau- 

 seous odor. 



The Mitres, etc., are a very numerous genus, about three hundred and fifty living 

 species being known and named. All the large species inhabit the tropics ; and although 

 there are some which are found in cooler regions, they are of very small dimensions, and 

 mostly frequent the moderately shallow waters, though a few species are found at a depth 

 of eighty fathoms. 



The color of the Bishop's Mitre is very pleasing, being pure shining white on the 

 back-ground, and the spots being of a rich warm bay, the red predominating. 





MUSICAL VOLUTE. 

 Valuta musica. 



NEPTUNE'S BOAT. 



Cymba Neptuni. 



BAT VOLUTE.- 

 Voluta vespertilla. 



AT the bottom of the accompanying illustration may be seen two curiously marked 

 shells, one empty and the other containing the animal. These belong to the typical 

 genus of the Volutidae, which contains about seventy species, and is spread over most 

 of the warm seas. 



The Bat Volute is represented on the right-hand of the engraving, and exhibits not 

 only the bold markings of the shell, but the curious form of the animal which made it. 

 At each side of the large siphon may be seen a lobe projecting from its base, and the 

 eyes are set on lobes projecting from the base of the tentacles. When the tooth-ribbon 

 of the Volute is examined under the microscope, its armature is seen to consist of a 

 series of three-pointed teeth, forming a very powerful engine of destruction. 



The color of the Bat Volute is extremely variable, some individuals being very dark 

 in proportion to others ; and even the shape of the variegations is most uncertain. In 

 the specimen from which the figure was taken, the markings are boldly contrasting tints of 



