Cone shell - Cone shell (English spelling)

Japanese: イモガイ(芋貝) - イモガイ（英語表記）cone shell

A general term for snail shells of the Conidae family that are shaped like the young tubers of a taro plant. There are approximately 120 species native to Japan. The shell is usually 7-8cm high, oblate cone-shaped, thick and sturdy, with many coils but usually low. The last coil makes up the majority of the shell. The opening of the shell is narrow and slender. The shell surface has different patterns depending on the species, but most are covered with a straw-colored shell, and when the shell is thin the pattern can be seen through, but when the shell is thick the pattern cannot be seen as the young tubers are covered with the shell. The body can be retracted deep into the shell, which is why it is also called minashigai.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

サトイモの子いものような形をしたイモガイ科Conidaeの巻貝の総称。日本産約120種。殻は通常高さ7～8cm，倒円錐形で厚く堅固，巻きは多いが通常低い。最後の巻きが大部分を占める。殻口は狭くて細長い。殻表は種類によって模様が異なるが，多くはその上にわら色の殻皮をかぶっていて，薄いときは模様が透けて見えるが，厚いときは子いもが皮をかぶっているようで模様は見えない。体は殻の中に深く引き込めるのでミナシガイの名もある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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