240 



POPULAR CONCHOLOGY. 



per end of each of which, near the sutures, is 

 projecting and pointed ; spire short, last whorl 

 large and deeply notched ; outer lip thickened : 



it is supposed to have no operculum. Animal, 

 head large ; mouth open below ; destitute of a 

 proboscis ; but having two tentacula, with eyes 

 in the middle ; foot large. — 8 species recent, 

 and 1 fossil. 



The principal localities of this genus are the 

 Red Sea and the Indian and South American 

 Oceans. The Harpa imperialism from the Mau- 

 ritius, is a remarkably beautiful shell, and ex- 

 ceedingly rare : at one time it could only be 

 procured at an extravagant price, but now it 

 is more common. It is distinguished by the 

 very great number of ribs, which, indeed, are 

 almost close together; and the colours and 

 markings are very elegant and beautiful. There 

 is a fishery for them at the Mauritius and the 



