The Cone Shells 



The Virgin Cone (C. virgo, Linn.) is striking in its lack of 

 colour markings so characteristic of the family. The heavy 

 shell is yellowish white with violet stain on the basal part. Fine 

 striations cover the surface. Polished specimens have a white 

 china-like, artificial appearance, but they still preserve the violet 

 colouring. Length, 2h to 4 inches. 



Habitat. — Red Sea to Australia. 



The Marbled Cone (C. marmoreus, Linn.), commonly seen in 

 collections, is strongly marked with large white creamy spots, 

 mostly triangular, separated by bands of dark brown. It is one 

 of the showiest species in the genus. The spire is low and blunt, 

 its sutures concave, its ridges set with tubercles. The ground 

 colour outside and within the aperture has a pink flush. The 

 pattern and proportion of colour varies in this species, which 

 gives rise to a few distinct varieties. The typical form is a good- 

 sized shell, quite heavy, about "half and half" dark and light, 

 in colours and pattern described above. Intermediate gradations 

 unite all the varieties. The bite of this species is much to be 

 dreaded, as the barbed teeth are charged with venom and inflict 

 severe wounds. Length, 4 to 5 inches. 



Habitat. — China Seas. 



The Court Cone (C.aulicus, Linn.) has a narrowshell tapering 

 to its spire without a distinct shoulder — imitating the olive shells 

 in form, rather than the cones. Its brown surface is bright with 

 triangular white spots arranged without definite order. Fine 

 raised lines groove the surface. This is the East Indian species 

 which Arthur Adams describes as possessing a beautiful mottled 

 red and white proboscis. It is a defensive organ as well. This 

 writer saw a specimen strike the hand that took it from the water, 

 inflicting a deep triangular wound with the sharp teeth that 

 rim the cylindrical tongue. It was a poisoned bite, too, that 

 burned and swelled angrily and gave acute pain, but healed after 

 forming a watery blister. Length, 3 to 5 inches. 



Habitat. — East Indies. 



Several tropical species have reputations for venomous bites 

 likely to prove serious. Examination of a single tooth shows 

 it to have a hollow tube running from tip to poison gland as in 

 the fang of a serpent or a spider. Besides, it has a sharp, back- 

 ward-pointing barb below the tip. The South Pacific Islanders 

 know which are the most dangerous species. "A native of th? 



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