MALABAR TIGER SHPLL. 
parts appear to be of Mother-of-Pearl. This 
same species of shell has, also, sometlmeSj in- 
stead of the vivid lustre, only white spots or 
stripes ; on which account, that is called the 
Skin of the Snake, and this the Tiger. But 
they are alike in one particular : that is, both 
have, near the aperture, an umbilical hole suf- 
ficiently capacious ; which ascends to the last 
small whirl, where it becomes so exceedingly 
minute, as barely to admit the inrrodudion of 
a pin's point."" 
To this account, from Knorr, we may be 
permitted to add, that the Malabar Tiger is a 
shell in the family of the Giobosse, or Tuns, 
as they, are called by English conchologists : 
and which are defined, by Da Costa, to be 
Shells most generally of a somewhat globose 
shape, the body being greatly swelled or 
rounded ; having short turbans ; and a mouth 
extremely pabulous, or wide, and very large, 
the upper part ending in a wry channel, like a 
Soal's mouth, which is very short, and turns 
backwards. None have a pillar or columella 
lip ; though, in some, as the Persian Crowns, 
and Melons, the columella or pillar itself is 
wrinkled or pleated. 
