The Turban Shells and Star Shells 



are not actually used as such nowadays, but kept in cabinets 

 in deference to old usage. The Japanese cut up the soft parts of 

 this species and use it for making chop suey. The thick, pearly 

 substance of the shells is cut into buttons and ornaments. 



Habitat. — Indian Ocean, Philippines, Japan Sea. 



The genus Turbo is divided into several sub-genera, based 

 upon differences of the radula and operculum. 



Sub-genus SARMATICUS, Gray 



Shell depressed, much broadened at base, with oblique 

 long aperture and broad columella. Operculum beset outside 

 with club-shaped processes, inside flat. 



The Turk's Cap (7. Sarmaticus, Linn.) comes from the Cape 

 region of South Africa in such quantities that shell dealers all 

 handle it, and collectors can always get specimens. It is a hand- 

 some shell, showing beautiful green lights in its pearly mouth. 

 The outside of the shell is normally brown, more or less ruddy 

 toward the apex, and showing streakings of white and orange-red 

 toward the mouth. Underlying the coloured coat is a layer of 

 black, brittle as lacquer, next to the pearl. A tongue of black 

 reaches well into the aperture, encircling the columella. The thin 

 rim of the aperture is edged with this same black, the pearl not 

 reaching the edge. A very little grinding and rubbing removes 

 the outer layers, and leaves the shell pearly throughout. Its alti- 

 tude is 2 to 4 inches ; diameter 3 to 5 inches. A strange coral-like 

 or mushroom-like growth covers the outside of the operculum. 



The shells are made into fancy articles such as purses, stamp 

 cases, scent bottles, pipe bowls and ring trays. The choicest 

 specimens are made into brooches, cuff buttons and earrings. 



T. petholatus, Linn., is like the pheasant shells in being 

 smooth and brightly polished, and decorated with bright colours, 

 combined with white, in great variety and intricacy of pattern. 

 They are 2 to 3 inches in altitude and much more dilated at base 

 than the pheasants. The operculum is convex on the exterior, 

 and polished, with a bright green spot in the middle. 



Habitat. — Red Sea, Philippines and Indian Ocean. 



Sub-genus CALLOPOMA, Gray- 

 Shell turban-shaped, dark-coloured, with round aperture, and 

 long, deep columellar groove; outside of operculum spiral with 

 deep central pit, the outer coils with deep-cut grooves or teeth. 



210 



