CONCHOLOGY. 



Genus, SEPTA TRITONIA, or TRITON's HORN. 



Character. — Shell univalve, spiral, acuminated, divided 

 longitudinally by membranaceous sutures, placed 

 irregularly and opposite, upon the folds of the 

 spire, one of these forming the cheek of the 

 Mouth or Maxilla Oris, the Columella or central 

 Pillar corrugated or wrinkled. The Maxilla Oris 

 is invested with double teeth painted, and of a 

 brown colour. 



THIS Shell, classed with the Genus Septa, and which 

 has hitherto been described erroneously as a Murex, is a 

 native of various parts of the Globe, being found in the 

 Eastern Ocean, and also in the European Seas. It is dis- 

 tinguished by the Richness of its Colours. It has some- 

 times been denominated the Triton's Horn, from the re- 

 semblance which it bears to some of the sculptured Relievos 

 of the Ancients, in which the Tritons, who wait upon 

 Neptune, are represented holding up Shells of this sort, 

 and blowing with them from their mouths a Music, suita- 

 ble enough to those watry beings. 



This remarkable Shell varies considerably in size, 

 being sometimes eighteen inches in length, and by making 

 a small opening at the upper end, a pleasing and agreeable 

 gound may be produced, resembling that of a trumpet, but 

 rather more deep and sonorous in its tone. 



Another Shell, which has considerable resemblance in 

 its general form to the one now described, has lately been 

 discovered in New Holland, but it differs in the minuter 



