242 



POPULAR CONCHOLOGY. 



often found on reefs, and sometimes attain a 

 very large size, specimens having been seen 

 as large as a man's head ; even, then, however, 

 they retain the fragility and thinness of texture 

 which characterise most of the species. 



108. Buccinum. — Shell rather oval; spire 

 and mouth equal in length; inner 

 lip not flat, but swollen at the 

 upper part; mouth notched; shell 

 slightly covered by an epidermis ; 

 operculum horny. Animal, head 

 furnished with a proboscis, and 

 two tentacula having eyes in the 

 middle; foot short. — 140 spe- 

 cies recent, 5 fossil. 



These shells are found in all parts of the 

 world*; and in many places, particularly in 

 northern countries, the animals of the Buccinum 

 undatum (under the name of whelks) form an 

 article of food. The shells are not remarkable 

 for brilliant colours ; but their great diversity 

 of form, delicacy of sculpture, and pencilled 



* Captain Parry found two species, B. glaciale and 

 B. Sabinii, within the arctic circle. 



