60 Zoological Society. 



possess several characters by which it is most easily distinguished 

 from all other described species with which I am acquainted. 



** In its teeth, which are not elongated over the columellar side, in 

 the internal columellar groove, in its apical umbilicus, and in the 

 much-produced posterior extremities, as well as in other characters, 

 it differs essentially from Cyp. Walkeri of Gray ; and it has not the 

 slightest appearance of malformation or monstrosity of form. I am 

 therefore of opinion it is a perfectly distinct species, and ought to 

 be described as such. " Yours, &c., 



•• G. B. SOWERBY." 



" SOth March, 1848." 

 ** To J. S. Gaskoin, Esq." 



5. Cypr^a obscura (Dusky Cowrie). Cyp. testd ovatd, albicantCy 

 maculis duahus dorsalihus nigricantibus inconspicuis ; costellis 

 rudibus, prominentibus, ad dorsum concoloribus, ad margines et ad 

 basin albis ; dentibus labii externi circa viginti, labii interni di- 

 stantibus circa duodecim ; sulco columellari lato, margine interno 

 dentibus serrato ; extremitatibus albis, crassis, productiusculis. 



Shell ovate, of a dingy white colour, having two remarkable small, 

 blackish, undefined spots or markings on the dorsum, one a little 

 less than a third the length of the shell from each extremity ; ribs 

 coarse and prominent, on the back of the same colour as the shell, 

 but on the margins and base of a pure white ; they traverse the shell 

 from one side of the aperture to the other, having a slight curving at 

 the centre of the dorsum ; on the outer side several terminate on the 

 side of the shell, fewer terminate on the columellar side, where some 

 float ; base white, rather round ; aperture straightish, curved at the 

 posterior end, rather narrow ; teeth even, formed by the costse, about 

 twenty on the lip and about twelve on the columellar side, where 

 they are distant and extend over a broad columellar groove to serrate 

 its inner ridge; margin on the outer side thick and white, none on 

 the columellar side ; extremities white, thick, and somewhat pro- 

 duced. No dorsal impression. 



Length, y^ths of an inch ; altitude, ^V^^ '> hreadth, -j^ths. 



Hab. North-west Australia ; Dupuch's Island (under stones, low 

 water), collected by J. E. Dring, Esq., R.N. Abrolhos Island (under 

 coral), by ditto. 



Cabinets of Gaskoin, Saul, &c. 



This shell is perhaps nearest in form to Cyprcea pulex. Gray, but 

 cannot be confounded with any known species. I have had for 

 several years specimens of this shell, and the locality given me with 

 them was Senegal ; but as Mr. Dring has lately brought others to 

 this country, I have thought it right to give so authenticated a habi- 

 tat as we have received from him. 



This manuscript description having been written for a few years, 

 I send it for insertion in the * Proceedings,' although Kiener appears 

 to have described it in his work, * Species General,' &c., under the 

 name of Cyp. Napolina, a name ascribed to Duclcs ; but Kiener does 

 not say by what authority, yet I conclude that that appellation 

 should stand. Kiener's figures, pi. 53, figs. 3 and 3, are no repre- 



