THE SHELL-FISII OF THE COAST. 



19 



doubtless, also to a certain extent become swelled 

 up by the water which they must necessarily imbibe. 



The exact period of spawning of these pear- 

 conchs upon our coast has not yet been definitely 

 ascertained, but from the frequency with which 

 the fresh ribbons are found, it is not unlikely 

 that the spawning-season extends over a considera- 

 ble part of the year. So secretly and quietly does 

 the conch attend to its 

 aftairs, that it is only at 

 the widest intervals that 

 it has been observed in 

 the process of spawning ; 

 indeed, it is well known 

 that there are but few 

 naturalists who have ob- 

 served it in this condi- 

 tion. There are two 

 kinds of ribbons found 

 on the beach, — one in which the individual capsules 

 have a sharp median edge, and the other in which 

 the capsules are doubly carinated or keeled, appear- 

 ing like a wheel with a double flange. The former 

 belongs to Fidgur eanaliculata, and the latter to 

 Fulgur carica. Each capsule — of which there may 

 be some 75 or 100 on a single ribbon — shows a round 

 opening at about the middle of its outer border, 

 through which the embryo conchs make their 

 escape. 



A word may not be amiss here with regard to 

 the blue or blackish specimens that you have col- 

 lected. The suspicion has for some time existed 



1 2 



Egq-capsules or 1, Fulgur carica; 



OF 2, r. CANALIODLATA. 



