It is in reality a bivalve of
the Linnaean genus of Mytilus, and the species of Crista Galli;
called by Lister, Rastellum; by Rumphius, Ostreum plicatum
minus; by D'Argenville, Auris Porci, s. Crista Galli, and by those
who make collections cock's comb. Though I applied to several
such in London, I could never meet with an entire specimen; nor
could I ever find in books any engraving from a perfect one. In the
superb museum at Leicester-house, permission was given me to
examine for this article; and though I was disappointed as to the
fossil, I was highly gratified with the sight of several of the shells
themselves in high preservation. This bivalve is only known to
inhabit the Indian Ocean, where it fixes itself to a zoophyte, known
by the name Gorgonia. The curious foldings of the suture, the one
into the other, the alternate flutings or grooves, and the curved
form of my specimen being much easier expressed by the pencil
than by words, I have caused it to be drawn and engraved.
Cornua Ammonis are very common about this village.
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