496 CYPR^ADiE. 



applicable rather to the variety (" without spots") than to 

 the species.* 



The shell, when adult, is simply ovate, not peaked at 

 either extremity, ventricose, shining, tolerably strong, and 

 of a pale livid flesh-colour, that changes into pure white 

 on the margin and at the base. The back, which is never 

 traversed by any longitudinal furrow (as in most of the 

 allied species), is oftentimes marked with three rather large 

 dusky spots, one near each extremity, and one in, or 

 rather above the middle ; of these the posterior is rather 

 the broadest, and the anterior decidedly the smallest ; the 

 latter, as well as the one above it, lie behind the ordinary 

 site of the dorsal sulcus. Frequently, too, and especially 

 in Northern individuals, these spots are altogether absent, 

 in which case the sculpture is apt to be coarser, and the 

 threads fewer, than usual. Numerous simple (not beaded) 

 and somewhat rounded filiform ridges cross the shell 

 throughout, and are separated by smooth intervals of about 

 their own width. The margin is not very deep : the base 

 is convex. The mouth is linear, and a little curved, espe- 

 cially posteriorly. The outer lip is broad and thickened. 

 The teeth, which are rather small and numerous, are 

 equal in size upon both lips. A fine specimen measured 

 half an inch long, and a third of an inch in breadth. 



In the half grown form (bullata)^ the threads are scarcely 

 if at all raised, the shell being nearly smooth and trans- 

 parent, and the teeth rudimentary ; the spire is partially 

 revealed. 



The fry, which was supposed by some of the earlier 



* The C. pediculus of his Dorset list is a West Indian shell, and is the species 

 so named by modern writers (Gray, Zool. Journ. vol. iii. p. 370, not var. ; 

 Reeve, Conch. Icon. vol. iii. Cj'pr. pi. 23, f. 131). The sulcated variety of 

 peJiculus stated by Dr. Turton (Zool. Journ. vol. ii. p. 56C) to have been taken 

 alive at Weymouth, is probably the same species. 



