Genus Cypnva. 191 



(3, I, 3). According to Adams, each row is composed of 

 " one broad, quadrate, uncinated axile tooth, flanked on each 

 side by three hooked laterals ; outer lateral teeth conical, 

 entire or toothed." The animals are often resplendent 

 with gaudy coloration, and white, yellow, vermilion, and 

 rose are mentioned as predominant. 



(VI.) Growth and recuperative power. — The Yonng Shell 

 differs extremely from the mature, it is Bulla-shaped, 

 thin, with a distinct spire often covered with a fine 

 epidermis ; the pattern and markings, as a rule, blurred 

 and hardly commenced. The whole of plate xxvii. 

 of Reeve, Conch. Icon., is taken up with figures of Cowries 

 in this state, and is worth consulting. 



During growth, another phase is entered upon, the shell 

 somewhat solidifies, the lip and columella thicken and show 

 more development, the dentition commences, and the 

 pattern, usually in triangular or zigzag flames and waves, 

 asserts itself. The third, or concluding period, is when the 

 calcifying process of the dorsal lobes of the mantle applies 

 its energies to the base, teeth, and sides, covering the whole 

 shell with porcellanous enamel, and completing the now 

 recognisable design. 



As regards the unique power attributed to this genus of 

 shells, by one observer only, Lieut. J. B. Hankey, R.N. 

 (whose correspondence with Mr. Lovell Reeve on the 

 subject may be found in Conch. Icon. Cyp. pi. i. Letter- 

 press), viz., that he had been " in more than one instance 

 an eyewitness " of a Cowry dissolving and decomposing its 

 own shell as a preliminary to enlarging its borders, with 

 some solvent fluid secreted in its mantle ; far be it from 

 me to cast a shadow of doubt on this officer's veracity or 

 powers of discrimination, yet it does appear strange that 

 no other observer has noticed this phenomenon, more 

 especially as there are at this time five Naturalists at least 



