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.
[Illustration: _Pterocera scorpio._]