CONCHOLOGY. 



The Scalaria is generally two inches and three-quarters 

 in length, and about one and a half in width, of a white 

 and pale appearance inclining to grey, and it may be aptly 

 compared to a spiral worm or screw, the folds of which do 

 not at all touch each other, and that circumstance adds 

 to its singularity and to the admiration it has excited among 

 connoisseurs, so that the enormous price of fifty or a 

 hundred pounds has frequently been offered for a fine 

 specimen. If we were to speak of its beauty, we should 

 say that it arises chiefly from its intricacy and transpa- 

 rency, in the same manner as is the case with a diamond 

 or a beautiful piece of lace, which is admired more for 

 rarity than beauty. As for its colours it has little to boast 

 of in that respect, being, strictly speaking, of a tint which 

 all artists have agreed to call neutral, and which it is 

 impossible to describe, except by saying that it inclines to 

 a grey. It is a native of Ceylon and Amboyna, and resides, 

 in the deepest seas of those distant regions. 



Upon the whole we must consider the Scalaria as a 

 wonderful piece of workmanship, and highly to be admired 

 for its singularity aud rarity ; but in respect to the more 

 attractive harmony of beautiful colouring, the rich tints of 

 the Rainbow or Prism, the praise must be conferred upon 

 other Shells, as the delight with which it fills the mind 

 arises only from its singular shape. 



The four small Shells which accompany the Wentle- 

 trap are drawn from specimens lately imported from New 

 South Wales, No. 1 and 2 are of the Conus genus and 

 resemble the larger kind in their form; No. 3 is evidently 

 of the Trochus kind ; No. 4 Pyrula, resembling a little 

 Pear. They are given to shew the variety of their patterns 

 and form, and are hitherto unnamed by any Conchologist. 



