Art I. On Melania inquinata, Defr., 



and its supposed recent analogue. 



Vide Deshaijes Coquilles Fossiles des Environs de Paris, T. II. pi. 12 



f. 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, p. 105, (1825.) Id. Mag. de Conchyl. 



pi. et p. 13, (June, 1830.) 



Cerithium Melanoides, Sotverbi/ Min. Conch, of Great Britain, 



Vol. II. p. 109, pi. 147, f. 6, 7. 



DeFrance Diet, des Sciences naiuielles, Tom. XXIX, p. 469. 

 When, some months since, I addressed to the Editor of the Natural 

 History Magazine some observations on Mr. Samuel Stutchbury's pro- 

 posed new genus CyprcBcassis, I ventured not to advance any opinion 

 upon the subject ; my intention was, by bringing forward such facts as 

 I had myself observed, independently of the favourable or unfavourable 

 bearing they might have upon the establishment of the proposed genus, 

 to enable others, as far as ray facts, combined with Mr. Stutchbury's, 

 would go, to form a correct judgment upon the subject. I know not what 

 expressions I may in those observations have made use of that may fairly 

 be construed into expression of personal feeling, or an improper spirit, 

 with both of which I have been charged. I have merely stated facts, 

 the proofs of which are existing and to be seen every day ; that these 

 facts have a direct tendency unfavourable to the establishment of Mr. 

 Stutchbury's proposed genus is not to be charged as a fault against me. 

 I have not pretended to assert that the proposed genus may not eventually 

 be fully established upon well marked characters, but I must still say, that 

 it cannot be considered as established upon the three characters which 

 Mr. Stutchbury has propounded as distinguishing it from Cassis; these 

 three characters it will be remembered are, 1st. the absence of epider- 

 mis, and I have shown that Mr. Stutchbury's typical species has an epi- 

 dermis ; 2d. the absence of operculum, and I have shown that at least 

 one of the species associated by Mr. Stutchbury with Cypraecassis has 

 an operculum ;* and 3d. the absence of varices except in the adult state, 



• There is no greater reason for supposing Mr. Cuming to have accidentally 

 applied the operculum of some other animal to C. coarctata, than there might 

 he for supposing the qperculum of C. Testiculus to have been accidentally 

 detached from the foot of the animal before it was put into the spirit, or 



B 



