234 TlMEHRI. 
surface nautilus with its delicate, boat-like shell, is not 
represented. The shell marked Hyalea belongs to an 
oceanic^ beautifully luminous, free-swimming form, often 
classed as a separate group of Molluscs (Pieropoda) 
owing to the wing-like mantle which it possesses. Close 
to this is a broken specimen of the lovely purple or 
violet-shells (Janthina) , together with a specimen of 
Venus' comb (Murex) bristling with sharp, close, and 
long spines. 
Turning round by the door to the other side, the visitor 
sees other fine volutes (Melo), together with a fine series 
of the cone-shells (Conus) — of which group certain shells 
are extremely valuable, one having fetched as much as 
£50, for Museum purposes in Europe — close to these is 
shewn the handsome staircase-shell (Solarium), together 
with the equally handsome wentle-trap (Scalaria) with 
its regular ridges and bars. In the next case are seen the 
poached-egg shell (Ovulum) , and the curious weaver's- 
shuttle shell (Birostra) drawn out at each end into a 
long canal, and close by are the spider-shells (Pteroceras) 
with curious armlike proje6lions. The next case shews a 
colle6lion of important bivalves, such as oysters (Ostrea), 
cockles, (CatdiumJ } scallops (Pecten) , etc. Among them 
is the remarkable hammer-shell (Malleus). In the last 
case various forms of the beautiful cowries (Cyprsea) are 
exhibited, among them the white or money-cowry 
(Cypraea moneta) used in certain parts of Africa as 
money. Many of the cowries are used in making cameos. 
In the small hand-case on the table is shewn a cowry 
shell on which the Lord's prayer has been cut — a marvel, 
evidently, to one small boy visitor who assured others 
that it had been found at the bottom of the sea like that. 
