NON-PULMONARY GASTEROPODA 
417 
thick, solid, inversely conical, wreathing spirally from the base to the 
apex, the spiral being generally short, the last turn constituting alone 
the greater part of the surface of the shell. The opening extends 
nearly along its whole length, occupying all the height of the last 
whirl. It is always narrow, its edges quite parallel ; the columella 
presents neither fold nor curvature ; the right edge is plain, sharp, and 
thin, detached from the front of the last spiral by a sloping hollow, 
more or less deep. 
The animal which inhabits the Conus shell creeps upoa a foot, 
elongated, narrow, truncate in front, furnished behind with a horny 
rudimentary operculum, altogether insufficient to cover the opening. 
The head, which is large, is elongated into a little snout, or muzzle, 
a t the base of which rises on either side a conical tentacle, having an 
exterior eye upon its anterior extremity. At the extremity of the 
muzzle is the mouth, which is armed within with numerous horny 
hooks, inserted in the tongue. A cylindrical syphon, reversing itself 
m the shell, serves the purpose of carrying water to the branchiae or 
gills. The shells inhabit the seas of warm countries, especially those 
lying between the Tropics, where they affect sandy coasts, with a depth 
°f ten to twelve fathoms of water. 
Among the species bearing a spiral crown, we may mention Conus 
« donulli , of which many varieties are known, which come from the South 
-American Seas and the Antilles. Of all species of the genus it is the 
rarest, and, consequently, most sought after for its rarity and beauty. 
The commonest species is Conus hebraica, from the shores of Asia, 
Africa, and America. It is white with black spots, which are nearly 
S( piare, arranged in transverse hands. 
In Pl. XXI. we have represented some interesting species. 
Conus imperialis (Fig. I.) is a fine species, of white colour, with bands 
°i a greenish yellow or tawny colour, ornamented with transverse, cord- 
bke, articulated lines of white and brown. One of the largest species 
°f the genus is Conus geographus (Fig. II.), which sometimes attains 
*Te length of six or seven inches ; it is shaded white and brown. 
Among the non-crowned species, we have represented in Fig. III. 
Conus iessellatus, common in the Indian Ocean. Its anterior part is 
v iolet in the interior. The spots with which it is surrounded are of a 
red or scarlet, or, in short, a red lead colour upon a white ground. 
Conus ammiralis, of which three varieties, Figs. IY., V., and VI„ are 
2 E 
