One shell found on our own coast, often mistaken for a Whelk, is the Pelican’s-foot Strombus, called in scientific language, _Strombus pes-pelicanus_, which is but a Latinized form of the English name. This shell varies greatly in shape in different stages of its growth, and by an inexperienced conchologist, the young, middle-aged, and old Strombus, might be taken for distinct species. In the _Strombidæ_ family, so called we know not why, the same word in Latin meaning a kind of shell-fish, are some species which have produced pearls. One member of the family which we sometimes see in collections, is a large and very beautiful shell; this is the Broad-winged Strombus, (_S. latissimus_,) probably from _latesco_—to wax or grow broad, or large; _issimus_ being in the superlative degree, would indicate that this shell was very much so, as we find it is, sometimes measuring as much as twelve inches across. In Plate II, is a representation of this handsome shell, greatly reduced in size, of course: see Fig. 4. We here give a figure, as more curious than beautiful, of the Scorpion Pteroceras, (_P. scorpius_,) which also belongs to the _Strombidæ_ family; as does the curious Chinese Spindle, (_Rostellaria rectirostris_.) The generic name of the first of these species, comes from the Greek _Ptero_, pronounced _tero_, meaning a wing, and _cerus_—waxen. Both the generic and specific names of the second refer to the peculiar conformation of the shell, being derived from the Latin, and meaning a straight line or beak. [Illustration: CHINESE SPINDLE.] On Plate III, will be found the Imbricated Purpurea, (_P. imbricata_,) Fig. 1, which claims a close alliance with the Whelks. The generic name has reference to the dye yielded by this, as well as all the shells of the genus; the specific name comes from the Latin _imbrex_—the gutter-tile; thus _imbricated_, a term often used in Natural History, means ridged, like the roof of a house, where the tiles are placed to overlap each other, so that the rain will run off. The Persian Purpura, or, as it is called in Latin, _Purpura Persica_, Fig. 2, is another handsome shell of this family group; its name indicates the place where it is found. The other species described comes from South America, and the _P. lapillus_, (the meaning of the specific name has already been explained,) is common on our shores, being found in great abundance on the rocks at low waiter. We read in scripture, of Tyrian purple, and there is every reason to suppose that the rich colour was obtained from these and other shell-fish. PERIWINKLE. [Illustration]