Genus CyprcEa. 189 



* Paetel, Fr. Conchylien-Sammlung, 1887, Berlin. 

 Catalogue of all hitherto described recent 

 Shells, 6 parts, all published. 



(IV.) Systematic position. — The Family CyprcEidce is 

 placed amongst the Rostriferoiis Section of Gasteropoda Fro- 

 sobranchiata, following the StronibidcE and TerebellincB, and 

 immediately preceding the Ovulidce {A7nphiperasidce,Ad3.vs\s) 

 and Pedicularidcc, this last curious little genus of somewhat 

 distorted shells, living imbedded in corals. 



With Ovida (Brug.) there is, of course, the most near 

 relationship of all other genera ; but no spire exists in the 

 true Egg-shells at any period of growth, the colour is mostly 

 pure white porcellanous, sometimes pink, yellow, or lilac, 

 extremities more or less beaked, outer lip often toothed or 

 plicate, imier lip always smooth. Head of the animal 

 furnished with a contractile Snout. 



The Ovulce appear first in the Chalk, but are rare, and 

 often confounded with Cpyrcea. About fifty-five recent 

 species are known. 



The similitude of the family to certain forms of Cassis, 

 e.g. C. rufa (L.) and C. testiculus (L.), in the toothed lip, is 

 but superficial. Mr. Stutchbury separated these two species 

 from the true Helmet shells, under the name Cyprceacassis, 

 but they are now included in the subgenus Cassidea (Brug.). 



We are indebted for the accepted classification of the 

 Mollusca, mainly to the researches of the late Dr. Gray, 

 of the British Museum, Dr. P'orbes, Mr. S. P. Woodward, 

 author of that admirable work, " Recent and Fossil Shells,'' 

 and Messrs. Henry and Arthur Adams. This classification, 

 founded as it is on the truest scientific basis, viz., the 

 drawing of the characters not so much from the shell as its 



'■'Note.— Owing to the lamented death of Herr F. Paetel last October, 

 at the age of 76, it is to be feared that this useful Catalogue may not be 

 completed. Only six parts have been issued, down to the Ampullaridoi. We 

 have also to regret the demise of Mr. G. W. Tryon, junr., of Philadelphia, 

 author of the yet incomplete " Manual of Concholog}', " and other valuable w orks. 



