UNIVALVES. 



PLATE XIIL 



Genus. STROMBUS. 



Character. Shell spiral : the cheek, or maxilla oris, turned outwards, and spread 

 out like a flap ; the cheek is also cut open and furrowed at the top and bottom, near 

 to where it joins the beak; the beak twisted inward and backward. 



Species. 



No. 1. Strombus digitatus. Shell brown, striped with white ; the cheek very 

 much expanded, and divided into ten segments, pointed, rounded, and ar- 

 cuated ; the mouth and columella richly striped with white and red veins, 

 running the whole length of the shell ; the beak short. A native of the 

 Eastern Ocean. 



No. 2. Strombus aculeatus. Shell of a rich brown colour, tuberculated ; the 

 mouth of a deep red colour, edged with white, terminating in a very long 

 beak at each end of the shell ; the cheek armed with five long curved claws. 

 Native place unknown. From a shell in the Collection of Mr. Latham. 



No. 3. Strombus sinuatus. Shell of a brown colour, having five claws curiously 

 undulated, one of which covers and takes up the place of the spire ; the beak 

 divided at the bottom into two separate segments, and the whole of the 

 mouth richly striped with black lines. This shell is generally found in the 

 American Seas, and at Madeira. 



No. 4. Strombus lzevis. Shell white, streaked with pale red ; the 'mouth of a 

 rich pink colour ; the beak bent inwards and outwards ; the top of the spire 

 separated from the top of the cheek, which has also an elevated summit. 

 This shell is brought from the African Seas, and is drawn from, a specimen 

 in the Collection of Mr. Bullock. 



REMARKS. 



The genus Strombus, of which we have already given a general account, contains a family 

 of shells remarkable for the curious spikes or claws, which ado'rn and set off in an orna- 

 mental manner the form of the cheek and spire. It is distinguished from almost all other 

 shells by tke remarkably strong and vivid colours which are inserted in the internal part of 

 the mouth, and which is, generally, richly striped with black lines. The singular opening 

 at the top and bottom of the cheek, which makes it appear as if cut open, forms one of its 

 most distinguishing characteristics, and divides it from the genus Rostellaria, to which it has 

 perhaps the greatest resemblance. From its general form, and the character of its spines, it 

 has frequently obtained the name of the Spider shell, to which animal it bears a consider- 

 able resemblance in its shape ; it may also be considered as being almost confined to the 

 warmer regions of the globe, being rarely found in the European seas or coasts. 



