SINGLE-SHELLED MOLLUSKS. 



Cowries, or Egg-Shell^^^^g^fie Cowries 

 (Fig. 66, C), called in Florida micfclftHWW^flSve richly enam- 

 eled and marked shells ; the spire is not seen, and the 

 opening is small. When living they throw out a coating 

 that completely covers the shell, protecting it from damage., 



FIG. 66. Flesh-feeding mollusks. W, whelk ; E, whelk-eggs ; C, cowry ; 

 o , operculum ; , notch in shell ; st, siphon ; /, foot ; j, head. 



VALUE. The Cypraa moneta is used as money in some parts of 

 Africa. In 1848 60 tons of this money was sent out. 







FIG. 67. Toothed tongue of Buccinum undatum. B, one of the transverse 

 rows enlarged ; /, lateral teeth. 



Whelks (Buccinida). Nearly 1,100 living species 

 have been found ; many are common on our shores. The 

 shell has few whorls, and the operculum is long or ovate 

 (Fig. 66, W, o). In some the tongue is long and contains 



