The _Triton variegatum_, or Variegated Sea-Trumpet, a large and
beautiful shell, sometimes as much as two feet in length, is found
chiefly in the torrid zones, near the Asiatic coast. The attendants on
the sea-gods of pagan Rome are frequently represented with this shell
applied to their mouth by way of a trumpet.
Already Triton, at his call, appears
Above the waves; a Tyrian robe he wears,
And in his hand a crooked trumpet bears.
The sovereign bids him peaceful sounds inspire,
And give the waves the signal to retire.
His writhen shell he takes, whose narrow vent
Grows by degrees into a large extent,
Then gives it breath; the blast, with doubling sound,
Runs the wide circuit of the world around.
The sun first heard it, in his early east,
And met the rattling echoes in the west;
The waters, listening to the trumpet’s roar,
Obey the summons, and forsake the shore.
DRYDEN.
[Illustration: _Dolium perdix. Triton variegatum. Pyrula
caniculata._]