78 UNIVALVES. 



Genus. VOUJT A* Plural, Volutes. 



VOLUTE OR WREATH. 



Generic Character. Shell univalve, spirally 

 convoluted ; shape suboval ; 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 however by which they may be immedi- 

 ately recognised is the plicated t columellar lip. 

 It is supposed that the animals inhabiting such 

 variously formed shells, must also be very differ- 

 ent, since it is found that the abode of a 

 mollusk is invariably suited to its conformation 

 and habits. There are but very few British 

 species of this genus, and even these are doubtful. 



* Plate II. figures 10, 11. 

 f Derived from Latin plica, a fold. 



