72 UNIVALVES. 



pearance of these Cowries at their different pe- 

 riods of growth, and was consequently led into 

 the error of placing them in three different spe- 



CYPR^EA Europea* 



NUN COWRY. 



Specific Character. Shell ovate, about half an 

 inch long, and a quarter broad, transversely ribbed, 

 the ribs terminating within the lips ; of a pale 

 purple or flesh colour, with three dark spots on 

 the ridge of the back. 



This is a British species, and found abundantly 

 on our shores ; it greatly resembles the West In- 

 dian species, but is distinguished from it, in 

 having no dorsal groove, and the dorsal spots, if 

 there are any, being limited to three. Both the 

 shell and the inhabitant vary so much in their 

 different stages of growth, that much confusion 

 has arisen in their classification. The shell in 

 its juvenile state is extremely thin, brittle, pel- 

 lucid, and quite smooth ; and the animal of a pale 

 colour, displaying no reflected membrane. In its 

 adult state the shell is thick, opaque, ribbed, and 

 when the animal is in motion under the water, it 

 extends over it the lateral appendages of its man- 

 tle, which are speckled with a variety of colours, 

 presenting a very beautiful appearance. 



* Plate II. fig. -5. 



