78 UNIVALVES. 



Genus. VOLUTA.* Plural, Volutes. 



VOLUTE OR WREATH. 



Generic Character. Shell univalve, spirally 

 convoluted ; shape suhoval ; aperture narrow, 

 longitudinal, generally effuse at the base, having 

 sometimes a dorsal notch ; columella has oblique 

 plaits, varying in size and number. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE SHELL AND ITS 

 INHABITANT. 



This genus contains shells highly valued for 

 the beauty of their colours, and the brightness of 

 their natural polish. They vary considerably in 

 their appearance. Some have the aperture entire ; 

 in others it is effuse, terminated by a notch, or 

 produced into a canal ; the distinctive mark how- 

 ever by which they may be immediately recog- 

 nised is the plicated f columcllar lip. It is sup- 

 posed that the animals inhabiting such variously 

 formed shells, must also be very different, as 

 the abode of a mollusk is invariably suited to 

 its conformation and habits. There are but 

 very few if any British species of this genus. 



* Plate II. fig. 10, 11. 

 "f Derived from Latin plica, a fold. 



