20 
GUIDE BOOK TO THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 
Sea, which have the cavity of the tip of the shells filled up with 
crystalline matter as the animal grows. 
Tables 2—8. The various genera allied to Murices. 
Tables 2, 3. The Trumpet Shells ( Triton ), the larger species of 
which is often used as a trumpet by the natives of the Pacific Islands. 
The angulated or gadrooned triton. The gadrooned edge, so generally 
used by silversmiths, was taken from the finely wrought margin on 
the mouth of this shell. The frog shell ( JRanella ), so called because 
they are flattened shells, and have a ridge of spines on each side. 
Tables 3, 4. The Rock Shells ( Murex ), so beautifully ornamented 
with the foliaceous, curled and spinous protuberances with which their 
shells are adorned. Among others, the Murex trunculus of the Medi- 
terranean, which is believed to have yielded the Tyrian purple of 
the ancients. The Slit-mouthed Shell ( Pleurotoma ), with a notch 
on the hinder part of the upper lip, as the virgin slit-mouthed shell, 
from China. 
Tables 5, 6. The Cone Shells, among which is to be seen 
the celebrated Glory of the Sea ( Conus Gloria Maris'), from the 
Philippines ; it is very like some varieties of the cloth of gold. 
The setting sun cone ( Conus Vespertinus), from the east coast of 
Africa. 
Tables 6, 7. The Spindle Shells ( Fusus ), and the Pear Shell (Py- 
rula) ; some of the shells have the whorls always turned in the contrary 
direction to the usual one, and have hence been called reversed ; as 
the reversed spindle shell, from Sicily, or the Crag Rocks, and the re- 
versed pear shell. It is commonly believed that reversed shells of this 
kind are only found fossil ; but this is not the case, and reversed spe- 
cimens of shells which have the whorls in the usual direction sometimes 
occur ; but they are monstrosities, produced by some accident of the 
animal before it is hatched. Specimens of the common whelk, and one or 
two other shells of these kinds are to be seen in the collection, but they 
are rare, and hence persons have been induced to believe that reversed 
shells are always very valuable, but this is not the case. A specimen of 
the reversed spindle shell, of the reversed bulimus, or of physse or clau- 
silise, with the whorls in the common direction, would be as rare and 
valuable as reversed shells of those kinds which are generally of the 
common direction. The large Chinese spindle shell, which grows to a 
large size. 
Tables 7, 8. The Turnip Shells ( Turbinella ,) some kinds of which 
are very large and heavy. They are generally spotted when young 
and white when adult, and from their form have been called Turnip 
Shells or Rape Shells ; these are often used as oil vessels in the Indian 
temples, and for this purpose are carved and otherwise ornamented, 
as may be seen by some in the collection. When reversed they are 
much sought for by the Ceylonese, and highly valued ; one of these 
reversed clamp shells is in the collection : they are said to sell for a very 
large price in Ceylon and China. The Iris wave, ( Turbinella pris •* 
matica,) so called, because when the shell is wetted the periostraca 
gives out brilliant prismatic reflections. The tulip shells, ( Fasciolaria ,) 
among which is a kind which is by far larger than any other univalve 
shell yet discovered. The ostrich foot, ( Struthiolaria ,) and the 
pelican’s foot, ( Aporrhais . ) 
