CYPR.EA. 



Plate XXVII. 



So different is the appearance presented by the Ci/praa 

 in an early stage of growtli to that which they assume at 

 a more advanced period, that I have thought it necessary 

 to figure a few of the most interesting species during the 

 Bulla-like state of their existence ; that is, when the colu- 

 mella shows itself most distinctly to be the axis of growth, 

 and before the outer lip is intlexed or exhibits any indica- 

 tion of teeth. As of form, so also are there differences of 

 colour and design ; and the changes in both instances are 

 very dissimilar. The following series includes some of the 

 most remarkable. 



Cypr.'F.a Mauritiana. Fig. 1 c. Pale buff brown, en- 

 circled with tlu-ee broad bands of darker brown 

 clouded waves, the waves of the posterior band 

 striking out of the suture ; columella white ; interior 

 pale purple. Spire acuminated. 



Cypr^a ARGUS. Fig. 8 b. Pale yellowish fawn colour, 

 encircled with three or four narrow enlai-ging bands, 

 very u-regidarly stained here and there with oblong- 

 square spots of which there are no traces in the 

 adult ; columella white. Spire peculiarly flattened. 



Cypr.ea Scottii. In its fii-st state {Fig. 10 5 and c) a 

 piu-e bright unilbrm milky orange, with the columella 

 ivory-white; it then assumes a blueish tinge disposed 



in obscure bands, and begins to show {Fig. 10 rf) a 

 kw bright tortoise-sheU brown blotches, as exhibited 

 in the adult, before there is the sUghest inflexion of 

 the lip, or any indication of teeth. This is an ar- 

 rangement different to that of most of the Cowries, 

 in which the teeth are chiefly developed before there 

 is any appearance of the spotted pattern with which 

 the adidt is ornamented. Spire prominent. 



Cypr.ea Tigris. In its first state {Fig. lie) a clear 

 rather dark chesnut brown, encircled with faintly 

 shaded bands, mth the columella white ; the chesnut 

 coating then disappears by a superincumbent layer 

 of cream coloured enamel, encii'cled with five bands 

 of close set oblong blueish-brown spots {Fig. 12 r/), 

 splashed in-egularly with clouded stains of yellowish 

 brown. Spire rather depressed. 



Cypr.ea EXANTHEMA. Fig. 16 6. An uniform fawn brown, 

 eucii-cled with five broad bands of a darker colour, 

 no appearance of spots, waves, or any description of 

 mark-ing ; interior rich purple ; columella white. 

 Spire acuminated. 



CypR.EA CARNEOLA. Fig. 19 b. Colom" and bands exactly 

 as in the adult ; columella white. 



March 1846. 



