VOLUTE VOLUTE. 81 



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 Vo- 

 lutes, by having their whorls separated by a chan- 

 nel. 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 Yolutes are called 

 Mitres, from their resemblance to those insignia 

 of clerical dignity. The shells of which it is 

 constituted are now arranged in a distinct genus. 

 Their form is more elongated than that of their 

 congeners, being turreted or fusiform, and the 

 apex very pointed. They are also character- 

 ized by the gradual decrease in the size of the 

 columellar fold as they approach the base. These 

 shells are as much admired for the brightness and 

 variety of their colours as for the elegance of 

 their form. They are found in the seas of hot 

 climates. The natives of the Island of Tama fix 

 them into handles and use them for hatchets. 

 The Yoluta Episcopalis or Bishop's Mitre,f is the 

 type of this family. It is white, marked with 

 distinct orange spots. It is frequently found in 



Plate II. fig. 10. f Plate II. fig. 11. 



