CLASS II. GASTEROPODA: ORDER 2. BRANCHIFERA. 511 
their mouths downward, so as not to crush the body of the fish within ; the hroken pieces being 
picked off, there will appear a white vein, lying transversely in a little furrow or cleft next to the 
head of the fish, which must be digged out with the stiff" point of a horse-hair pencil, being made 
short and tapering. The letters, figures, or what else that shall be made on the linen and perhaps 
silk too, will presently appear of a pleasant light-green color, and if placed in the sun will change 
into the following colors, that is, if in winter about noon ; if in the sutnmer, an hour or two after 
sun-rising, and so much before setting ; for in the best of the day in summer the colors will come 
on so fast that the succession of each will scarcely be distinguished. Next to the first light- 
green it will appear of a deep-green, and in a few minutes change into a sea-green ; after which, 
in a few minutes more, it w-ill alter into a watchet-blue ; from that, in a little time more, it will 
be of a purplish-red ; after which, lying an hour or two, supposing the sun still shining, it will 
be of a very deep purple-red, beyond which the sun can do no more. But then the last and most 
beautiful color, after washing in scalding water and soap, will, the matter being again put into 
the sun or wind to dry, be of a fair bright crimson, or near to the prince's color, which afterward, 
notwithstanding there is no use of any stiptic to bind the color, will continue the same, if well 
ordered, as I have found in handkerchiefs that have been washed more than forty times ; only it 
will be somewhat allayed from what it was after the first Avashing." 
The Red Whelk, Fusus ontiqiius^ is of considerable size, and found on the coasts of the 
British Isles. Like many other shells, on being held to the ear, it produces a roaring sound, 
popularly supposed to be an echo from the sea. 
" The tinted sea-shell borne away, 
Far from the ocean's pebbly shore, 
Still loves to hum the choral lay, 
The whispering mermaids taught of yore." 
This species is hence called Roaring Buckie in Scotland ; in the Shetland cottages it is used 
as a lamp. Other species are the Dog Whelk, Nassa reticulata ; Augur-Shell, Terehra macu- 
lata^ &c. Several small species of buccinum are found on our coasts. 
The Purple, Purpura, Persica, is also very destructive to mussel beds, and yields a dull purple 
dye. The P. lapillus, and some other species, are found on our shores. 
THE HARP-SHELL. THE DOLIUM GALEA. 
Germs HARPA : Harpa.—T\i\% includes the Harp Shell, H. ventricosa, abundant on the 
shores of the Mauritius and of the neighboring islands. For this and analogous species, there 
are fisheries in those regions, the animals being caught at night or near sun-rise, by nets attached 
to rakes. 
Genus DOLIUM : DoUum. — This includes the DoUum galea, found in the Mediterranean, 
generally on reefs. . - 
