Читать книгу The Book of Shells - Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge . Committee of General Literature and Education - Страница 19

This curious shell is found in the East Indian seas, and attains a considerable size, as much as six inches. In an early age the projecting claws of this shell are very small, so that its appearance is materially different from that which it assumes at a more advanced period of its growth. It is known as the Spotted Scorpion Shell, and is distinguished from other species of the same genus, by the knotted and granulated appearance of its surface; the opening of the shell is long and narrow, and of a dull violet red, sometimes brownish, on which numerous transverse wrinkles are seen, either of a pure white, or slightly tinged with yellow.

Pterocera scorpio.

Family CANALIFERA.

The shells belonging to this family agree with those of the last in having a canal at their base; but the lip to the right of the opening does not change its form through age.