232 BERMUDA. 



able for the regularity of their form and variety 

 and elegance of their (jolours, and which are highly 

 prized by collectors. They are all marine. Many 

 species of this genus are marked with the most beau- 

 tiful and extraordinary figures, some of them re- 

 sembling Hebrew, Greek, or Arabic characters, 

 and bearing a most exquisite polish ; in other varieties 

 the colours are arranged in almost endless shapes, 

 being clouded, veined, marbled, dotted, striped, and 

 banded in every kind of form. Many of them are 

 very rare ; and the specimen of the Conus gloria 

 maris has been sold for as much as one hundred 

 guineas. The famous Conus cedo nulli, formerly 

 in the cabinet of Lyonnet, at the Hague, is said to 

 have been sold for three hundred guineas. 



2. Genus Cyprcea (Cowries).— The shells of this 

 genus are distinguished, if not for elegance of form, 

 yet for beauty of colouring and richness of polish. 

 The polish is preserved by the animal, while alive, 

 enveloping the shell in a membraneous fold. The 

 young shell presents the appearance of an olive, 

 having the spire acute, the outer lip sharp, and both 

 lips destitute of teeth. Many of the species, which 

 in their perfect state are spotted, are when young 

 transversely banded. We have found on our shores 

 the Cyprma pediculus and the Cyprcea coccinella. 



