GASTEEOPODA. 



233 



Fig. 92. Cyprcea, 

 young.* 



Fig. 93. 

 I'riviit.-] 



Shell ventricose, convolute, covered mtli shining enamel 

 spire concealed ; apertui-e long and 

 narrow, with a short canal at each 

 end ; inner lip creniilated ; outer lip 

 inflected and crenulated (lingual 

 uncini similar). 



The young shell has a thin and 

 sharp outer lip, a prominent spire, 

 and is covered with a thin epidermis 

 (Fig. 92). When full-grown the 

 mantle lobes expand on each side, 

 and deposit a shining enamel over 

 the whole shell, by which the spire 

 is entirely concealed. There is usually 

 a line of paler colour, which indicates 

 where the mantle lobes met. Cyprcea 

 annulus is used by the Asiatic Islanders to adorn their 

 dress, to weight their fishing-nets, and for barter. 

 Specimens of it were found by Dr. Layard in the ruins of 

 Nimroud. The money-cowry ((7. moneta) is also a native of the 

 Pacific and Eastern seas ; many tons weight of this little shell 

 are annually imported into this country, and again exported 

 for barter with the native tribes of Western Africa ; in the year 

 1848 sixty tons of the money-cowry were imported into Liver- 

 pool. Mr. Adams observed the pteropodous fry of C. annulus, 

 at Singapore, adhering in masses to the mantle of the parent, 

 or swimming in rapid gyrations, or with abrupt jerking move- 

 ments by means of their cephalic fins. 



Distribution, 150 species. In all warm seas (except east 

 coast South America ?), but most abundant in those of the old 

 world. On reefs and under rocks at low water. 



Fossil, 84 species. Chalk — . India, Britain, France, &c. 

 Biih-cjenera. Cyprovula, Gray. C. Capensis, PI. VII., Fig. 21. 

 Apertural piaits continued regularly over the margin of the 

 canal. 



Luponia, Gray. C. algoensis, PI. YIL, Fig. 22. Inner lip 

 irregularly plaited in front. 



Trivia, Gray. C. europsea, PI. VII., Fig. 23; Fig. 93, and 

 15, B. Small shells with striae extending over the back. 

 {Uncini: 1st denticulate, 2, 3, simple.) 



» rig 92. Cyprcea testudinaria, L., 3'oung, China. 



t Fig. 93. Trivia Europcea, Mont. From tlie " British Molluscs," by Messrs. Forbes 

 and Han ley. 



