146 POPULAR CONCHOLOGY. 



pear like the rays of a star. Some species 

 were used for the table in former times, and 

 the common species of the British coasts is 

 still gathered by the poorer people for the same 

 purpose. 



18. Siphonaria ( Sowerby). — Shell resem- 

 bling the Patella in shape, but with an indented 

 groove in the interior, extending from the apex 



to the margin. Animal, head divided into two 

 equal parts ; no tentacula, nor visible eyes ; the 

 latter, at least, are very doubtful ; foot mode- 

 rate. — There are 19 species recent, and 2 fossil. 



It is difficult, at first sight, to distinguish 

 this shell from a Patella, the groove not being 

 very perceptible; indeed, many authors class 

 them together. They are found on the 

 coasts of South America, New Holland, the 

 Isle of France, and in the Mediterranean. 

 The animals appear to be ornamented with 

 various colours. 



