68 UNIVALVES. 



Genus.-CYPR^EA.* Plural, Cyprace. 



COWRY. 



Generic Character.^ Shell univalve, involuted, J 

 smooth; form, suboval, resembling a coffee 

 berry, obtuse at both ends ; aperture linear, 

 longitudinal, extending the length of the shell, 

 effuse at each end ; lips curved inwards and 

 toothed ; the spire in some species just perceptible, 

 in others its position is marked by an umbilicus. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE SHELL AND ITS 

 INHABITANT. 



The Cypraese, of which there are numerous 

 species, display a high natural polish, uniformity 

 of shape, delicate and distinct markings, with 



* Plate II. fig. 2, 4, 5. 



^ The plan by which Lessons on Natural History may be 

 made valuable in developing the faculties of children, having 

 been shown in the preceding pages : the substance only of the 

 lessons will now be given for the use of the Teacher, who, it 

 is supposed will analyse it and arrange it in questions accor- 

 ding to the plan of the foregoing lessons. A frequent repeti- 

 tion of the generic character is recommended, and also that 

 the children be required occasionally to give a list of the parts 

 of a shell, with definitions of the terms they use. 



$ Involuted. Rolled inwards, this term is applied to a shell 

 when the first whorls are rolled within the body whorl, and 

 is derived from the Latin involut us, rolled up in. 



Umbilicus. A small hollow : this term was applied by 

 the ancients to the centre of a shield. 



