given to this genus in compliance With its ancient 
title of Concha Veneris or Venuuss Shell; which in 
modern conchyliology belongs to a bivalve fhell 
which has already made its appearance in the prefent 
work, viz. the Venus Dione of Linnzeus. The name 
Concha Venevis applied to the prefent fhell by the 
ancient writers originated from its fuppofed efficacy 
in expediting the commands of the goddefs Venus, 
who, difpleafed at a voyage undertaken by order of 
the tyrant Periander againft the natives of Gnidos, 
is faid to have made ufe of this fhell to ftop the 
progrefs of the veffel. I fhould obferve that the 
Cyprac in general are unfurnifhed with any epi- 
dermis or exterior cuticle, and are found naturally 
adorned with that beautiful polifh which is given to 
many other fhells by artificial means. 
