20 
CALIFORNIA SEA-SHELLS. 
and try to finds its adaption to its surroundings. 
In this way, shell-gathering becomes something 
more than a mere pastime, tor it brings us face 
to face with the great questions of life, of design, 
and of final causes. 
Monoceros engonatum , Conr., Fig. 3, PI. Ill, 
resembles the last species in many respects, but 
is more angular, as its name indicates. The 
whorls are sharply shouldered, and the shell is 
smootliish and brown-dotted. By some, it is 
doubted whether this is more than a variety of 
the last species. It is more common in the south- 
ern part of the State than in the northern. A 
careful study of the variations of the species 
which are found in different localities, and which 
live under different conditions, is highly interest- 
ing, and accurate observations by any one may 
prove valuable to science. There are many 
things yet to be learned about our more common 
animals, and no one need despair of discovering 
new truths. 
Chorus Belcheri , Hds., Fig.2, PI. Ill, is a huge 
shell, with a long canal and a tapering spire, 
bristling with a crown of long, sharp points. Col- 
or, brown ; length, four to six inches ; more com- 
mon in southern waters. 
In sheltered coves the waves often wash up 
great numbers of little shells, which may be 
gathered at low tide. A very common as well 
as very beautiful shell which can often be thus 
found in great numbers is Amphissa corrugata , 
Eve., Fig. 4, PI. Ill, Wrinkled Ampliissa. If 
you search among the stones at very low tide, you 
will find probably find some of them alive, 
