THE LITTLE HARP-SHELL. 317 



names are both given in consequence of its general resemblance to these objects, the former 

 signifying a spindle, and the latter a distaff. 



At least a hundred species of Spindle-shells are known, and their range, extends over 

 the greater part of the globe. One large species (Fusus antiquum), called, from its color, 

 the Red Whelk, is common on European shores, and off some of the coasts of Scotland is 

 extensively captured for sale. When the empty shell is held to the ear. the reverberations 

 of sounds are gathered in its wide lip, and, being returned to the ear in a broken and confused 

 manner, give forth a monotonous sound, rising and falling at intervals, and are thought by 

 the uneducated to be the imprisoned murmurs of the waves. For this reason, the shell is 

 popularly known as Roaring Buckie. In some places the empty shell is used as a lamp, the 

 cavity containing the oil and the wick being drawn through the canal, thus producing a 

 charmingly elegant lamp, which even exceeds in beauty the classical forms of the ancients, 

 and quite equals them in efficacy. 



Another species, the Giant Spindle (Fusus colosseus), is remarkable as being one of the 

 largest living examples of the gasteropods. 



The foot of the animal is moderately broad, and the operculum is small, and shaped not 

 unlike a sea mussel-shell. The color of the Spindle-shell is nearly white, and almost uni- 

 formly tinted, but darkening slightly towards the point. 



We now arrive at another and rather larger family, of which the common Whelk is a 

 familiar example. 



This is one of the most carnivorous of our mollusks, and among the creatures of its own 

 class is as destructive as the lion among the herds of antelopes. Its long tongue, armed with 

 row upon row of curved and sharp-edged teeth, harder than the notches of a file, and keen as 

 the edge of a. lancet, is a most irresistible instrument when rightly applied, drilling a circular 

 hole through the thickest shells as easily as a carpenter's centre-bit works its way through a 

 deal board. 



The front of the tongue often has its teeth sadly broken, or even wanting altogether, but 

 their place is soon supplied by others, which make their way gradually forward, and are 

 brought successively into use as wanted. As a general rule, there are about a hundred rows 

 of teeth in the Whelk' s tongue ; each row contains three teeth, and each tooth is deeply cleft 

 into several notches, which practically gives the creature so many additional teeth. 



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 Hai;p-siiell 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 extrava- 

 gant rate. A small specimen is now valued at from two to five dollars, and a fine one will 

 cost about fifteen dollars ; but, in former days, as much as two hundred and fifty dollars 

 have been paid for a specimen. 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 more muddy 

 parts of the coast, and prefer deep to shallow water. None of the Harp-shells possess the 

 operculum. 



The color of the Imperial Harp is pale chestnut and white, with a dash of yellow arranged 

 in tolerably regular and slightly spiral bands. 



The Little Harp-shell is a darker species, and one that seldom attains a greater length 

 than an inch and a half. The peculiar foot is very large, broad, and leaf-shaped, and has 

 a deep fissure just behind the tentacles, nearly cutting the organ asunder. It is said that, 

 when the animal is irritated, the fissure becomes widely expanded. Some writers say 

 that, if the animal is very much terrified, it withdraws itself into its home with such 

 rapidity that the expanded front of the foot is unable to contract sufficiently, so that the 



