72 UNIVALVES. 



appearance of these Cowries at their different 

 periods of growth, and from this defect in his 

 knowledge, he has described the present species 

 under three different names. 



CYPR^EA Eur&pea* 



NUN COWRY. 



Specific Character. Shell ovate, about half 

 an inch long, and a quarter broad, trans- 

 versely 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 abun- 

 dantly on our shores ; it greatly resembles the 

 West Indian 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, pellucid, 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 mantle, which are 

 speckled with a variety of colours, presenting a 

 very beautiful appearance. 



* Plate II. fig. 5. 



