234 Mr C. Collier o« Univalves. 



the Pompilius is the same. This shell is doubtless, as has been 

 observed, exterior to its inhabitant, but the exact connexion be- 

 tween them is yet a desideratum for science. It is asserted by 

 Rumphius *, that the animal is in part lodged in the last cell ; 

 has the sac, eyes, parrot-bill, and tunnel of other cephalopoda, 

 the mouth surrounded with many circles of numerous little ten- 

 tacula, without suckers. A ligament arising from the back 

 passes through the syphon, and forms its attachment to the 

 shell. But if by last, this author means the upper and largest 

 cell, how can there be communication from without ? The only 

 opening exteriorly is the narrow syphon, and this, walled through- 

 out, does not open into the chambers, unless into the last and 

 smallest. If it inhabit the space above the chambers, then what 

 may be the use of these, large and regularly formed as they 

 are -f- ? The shell of the nautilus is always found on the beach, 

 deprived of its inhabitant, in an injured and decaying state ; it 

 is probable, therefore, that when in life, it remains at sea, or 

 stays beneath deep water. The argo {Argonauta) is sometimes 

 met with on the coasts of Ceylon, of large size, but the species 

 generally of this family are smaller, and less delicate, than those 

 found to the eastward, and at New South Wales. 



I propose Cameratum for the generic term, chosen the rather 

 because significant of ships, to the form of which these shells 

 have some resemblance : Divisions, o?ie, many. 



2. The lip is chosen as a generic feature, when, losing the 

 more common form, it is rolled over upon itself, or, if the term 

 express the fact, vuluted ; this adjective to the feature desig- 

 nates the family. The divisions are formed from the tootJied 

 or radiated processes, and distinguished as they are, both on the 

 columella and lip, as in Cypraa ; or on the lip alone, as in 

 Bulla Ovum, or on neither, as in Bulla Volva. The generic 

 feature is applicable only in the perfected shell, for the lip in 

 young Cypr^a and Bulla (S. Ovuvi) is of exceeding tenuity, 

 and the processes but partially, or not at all formed. But it is 



■ On the authority of M. Cuvicr. llegne Animal, t. ii. p. 366. 



•f As fluid is formed in every specimen, probably it may be a means of fa- 

 cilitatinff descent and ascent. 



