UNIVALVES CYPR/EA. 57 



cercula, Staphylaea, &c. &c. all of which have but little 

 coloring, and are completely rough, from having their sur- 

 faces covered with small globular tuberculations or warts. 



In the Cypra-'a Pediculus, the shell, though rough, is 

 not indebted to tuberculations for its rugae, but to 

 approximate parallel elevated ribs or striue, which cover 

 the whole of the shell. 



There are four divisions in the Cyproea; the first in- 

 cludes those that have a manifest spire, such as the Cy- 

 praea Arabica (the nutmeg Cowrie), C} praea Amethystca 

 (the Young of Arabica) ; Cypraea Exanthema, Cypr^a 

 Plumbea (the Young of Exanthema); Cyprsea Oculata, 

 and others. 



Those, on the contrary, which are without a manifest 

 spire, class with such as the Cypraea Caput-serpentis 

 (the Serpent's Head), Cypraea Mauritiana and Moneta; 

 the last of which, the Cypraea Moneta, is fished-up by 

 the negro women, three days before or after full-moon, 

 and transported into Bengal, Siam, America, and the ad- 

 jacent islands; where it is used by the native blacks in 

 commerce, instead of money. 



The thirde division is composed of the umbilicated or 

 perforated varieties ; such as the Cypraea Ziczac, Asellus, 

 &c. And those species which are marginated form the 

 fourth class: as for instance, the Cypraea Moneta, Annulus, 

 &c. 



One of the rarest, most valuable, and largest Cowries 

 ia the Cypraea Aurantium, or Orange Cowrie, whidi is 

 found, though very rarely, at the Friendly Isles. One of 

 the rarities of the smaller sorts of Cowries is the Cypraea 

 Rubiginosa, or Iron-mould Cowrie. 



The grand mark of distinction in the Cowries is, that, 

 when arrived at maturity, the two lips on each side of 

 their mouths are always beset with strong articulate teeth. 



