74 LESSON XI. 



nity of the island of Cyprus, from which circum- 

 stance its name is derived. 



CYPR-33A Arabica* 

 NUTMEG COWRY. 



Specific character. Shell subovate ; colour 

 brownish, or blueish white, inscribed with dark 

 brown markings resembling Arabic characters ; 

 the sides are thickened and spotted with purple ; 

 the teeth are chestnut brown ; the dorsal streak 

 is simple. 



The shell is from two to three inches long, the 

 breadth is nearly three quarters of its length. 



The young shells of this species are blueish 

 gray, variously clouded or banded with brown ; 

 when the teeth are formed, the back appears of a 

 brownish or dull blue colour ; in this stage of its 

 growth, it has been known by the name of Cyprsea 

 Amethystea, or the smoke Cowry. Linnaeus was 

 not aware of the variety in the 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. 



CYPRSEA Eurapea.] 

 NUN COWRY. 



Specific character. Shell ovate, about half an 

 inch long, and a quarter broad, transversely rib- 



Plate H. fig. 3. f Plate 11. fig. 5. 



