Trochus. 57 



numerous one, consisting of more than one hundred 

 species, which are scattered nearly all over the 

 world, few seas being without some of them. They 

 are found at various depths, from near the surface 

 to forty-five fathoms down, creeping on rocks, sand, 

 masses of sea-weed, etc. We will first speak of 

 those found on our own shores, the two commonest, 

 as well as the smallest of which, are the Grey 

 and the Spotted Trochi, scientifically named T. 

 cinerarius and T. metadata, the translation of the 

 first Latin specific name being ashy or ash-coloured, 

 and that of the second, spotted. Trochus, in the 

 same language, signifies a top, and has reference to 

 the shape of most of these shells, which are some- 

 thing like a boy's whip-top. 



Children on the coast sometimes call the last- 

 named of the above species Pepper-and-salt Shells, 

 because in colour they resemble the cloth so named. 

 The Muddy-red Trochus (T. ziziphinus), so called, 

 perhaps, because in colour it resembles the ziziphia, 

 or fruit of the jujube tree, is also common with us. 

 This shell is about an inch long, of a grey tint 

 dashed with dark spots, these follow the line of the 

 spiral turnings, which are very regular, proceeding 

 from the opening below to the apex or point. Seen 

 on shore, its colours are dull and faint, but beneath 



