198 SYCOTYPID^. 



Fam. SYCOTYPID.^. 



Tongue with the lachis unidentate, pkiraj with three 

 uncini (S'l'S), forming seven rows of teeth on the lingual 

 membrane. Tentacles subulate, with the eyes at their 

 outer bases. Mantle produced on each side, covering the 

 shell ; siphon straight, elongated. Foot thin, simple, pro- 

 duced posteriorly. 



Operculum none. 



Shell ventricose, thin, transversely ribbed and cancel- 

 lated; aperture with a straight canal in front. 



The animals of this group crawl very rapidly, bearing 

 their light, elegantly-formed shells easily, and, with their 

 neck stretched out, their siphon exserted, and their foot 

 greatly expanded, present remarkable objects of con- 

 templation to the malacozologist. 



Genus SYCOTYPUS, Browne. 



Shell pyriform, light, veutricose, ribbed and cancellated; 

 spire very short; aperture large; columella simple; canal 

 straight, elongated; outer lip thin, entire. 



Syn. Ficus, Bolt., not Linn. Pyrula (part). Lam. 

 Ficula, Swains. Otus, Risso. 



Ex. S. ficus, Linn(BUS, pi. 21, fig. 1. Shell, S. Dusu- 

 mieri, Valenciennes, fig. 1 , a. 



The Sycotypi are delicately-tinted creatures, being 

 generally flesh-coloured, with faint, marbled, crimson and 

 pink markings; their eyes are large and black, and their 

 long flat heads and necks usually white. 



