PLATE XCIX. 



Conus Marmoreus, independently of the symmetrical elegance 

 of its structure, which it bears in common with the generality of the 

 other species of its tribe, is remarkable for the singular and very 

 decided manner in which its surface is characterized, the colour 

 being black, profusely checquered with spots of white. Those spots 

 are not uniformly of the same form or magnitude, although they 

 are nearly uniform in those particulars in the same individual speci- 

 mens. Thus in some examples the spots are all large, and either of a 

 triangular or quadrangular form, or rather inclining to a heart- shape; 

 in others, the spots are all small, and in some degree confluent ; some- 

 times the black predominates, sometimes the white, and there are 

 instances of the shell being encircled with one or more distinct dark 

 bands. Some of those shells are of unusual rarity, the ordinary 

 varieties are to be met with in most cabinets, for the species is not 

 uncommon in the x\siatic seas, and that kind especially which has 

 the spots of a large size and cordated form, as represented in the 

 annexed plate. 



A shell so conspicuous and familiarly well known to every one 

 who may have directed their attention to the subject of Conchology, 

 it will be presumed must have assuredly attracted the observation of 

 every writer upon the science, and it is perfectly true, that there are 

 few works of any material extent upon Conchology in which some 

 at least of its varieties are not noticed. Chev. Lamarck in his last 

 publication, recapitulating the synonyms of preceding writers, 

 reduces the number to five distinct varieties, which is one more than 

 Gmelin has recorded ; his type of the species is the Conus Marmoreus 

 of all other writers, and is the kind we have delineated ; he has a 

 smaller shell in his own cabinet, which he distinguishes by the cha- 



