Shalom Jr,
As to your question regarding Lyncina leviathan (Schilder &Schilder 1937):
In an article titled "The meaning of Latin Cowry names" by F. A. Schilder
(Hawaiian Shell News, Vol. 13 (11) 1965 p. 6), it is written that the shell
resembles a Hebrew mythical giant dragon, and hence the name. Today,
leviathan in Hebrew means whale (in the past the word indeed meant a
mythological creature).
This information can be found in Dr. E. L. Heiman's new book: "A Guide to
Cowry Names and terms (Rehovot, 1999), and Dr. Heiman can be contacted at
[log in to unmask] for more information.
Moshe Erlendur Okon
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Jerusalem, Israel