VOLUTA VOLUTE. 79 



The term Voluta signifies rolled up cylin- 

 drically. 



One large family has been separated by modern 

 conchologists from the Volutes, and formed 

 into a distinct genus called Oliva, composed 

 principally of the Voluta Oliva* of Linnaeus. 

 These shells are of a cylindrical form, have a 

 short spire, and the aperture notched at the base. 

 They are easily distinguished from all other 

 Volutes, by having their whorls separated by a 

 channel. Their surface displays a fine polish, 

 and many of them are beautifully coloured. It 

 appears that the Olives are formed, like the 

 Cowries, of two coatings of testaceous matter ; 

 when the upper one is artificially removed, that 

 underneath often displays most beautiful tints. 

 They are found in hot climates. The animals 

 which inhabit them, breathe only water, which 

 they inhale by means of a tube situated under 

 the head, and fitting into the dorsal notch. 



Another large family of Volutes are called 

 Mitres, from their resemblance to the insignia 

 of clerical dignity. These are now arranged in 

 a distinct genus bearing the name Mitra. Their 

 form is more elongated than that of their con- 

 geners, being f turretedor fusiform, and the apex 

 very pointed. They are also characterized by the 

 gradual decrease in the size of the collumellar 

 folds as they approach the base. These shells 



* Plate II. fig. 10. 



t The whorls gradually decreasing, the length of such shells 

 greatly exceeds their breadth. 



