36 CYPRyEA. C 



In most specimens there may be also observed ;i slight 

 tendency to protrusion at the more obtuse end or crown, 

 which in some forms a very visible point, or, as it were, the 

 incipient rudiment of a spire ; and in the smooth variety, 

 the faint lines of two volutions may be evidently discovered, 

 which in the still more transparent C. bullata of Montagu 

 are elongated into manifest spires : length about half an 

 inch. 



The following are the known British varieties : the fo- 

 reign one, with the groove down the back^ we can only 

 consider as a variety. 



A. strongly ribbed, with from two to four colored spots 

 on the back. v. v. 



B. smaller, ribbed, and without spots, v. v. 



Cypraea arctica. Lister, pi. 707- f- 57- Pennant, pi. 73, 

 uppermost fig. Dorset Cat. pi. 22. f. 6. 



C. smooth, white, polished, much smaller, semitranspa- 

 rent, with clear transparent lines in the place of the ribs. 

 v. m. 



These are found in the West of Ireland, and, except for 

 the highly polished surface, appear to be worn down. 



D. Very thin and semitransparent, glossy white or with 

 a pal e y purplish tinge, sometimes faintly striate halfway 

 from tire back to the inner lip, the other half with ex- 

 tremely thin longitudinal striae; the outer-lip not thickened 

 at the edge -which is finely crenate ; inner-lip faintly 

 toothed: crown slightly produced, and forming two or 

 three small volutions, v. m. 



For t&is rare and beautiful variety, which from its size, 

 apparent volutions, and general appearance, may create a 

 lie ixso liable suspicion of its being a distinct species^ but is 

 at present considered as merely a young and unformed 

 ishell, we are indebted to Miss Lawless of Dublin, a natu- 

 ralist of rare and excellent discrimination and industry, 

 who in a single excursion on the celebrated .strand of Port- 

 inarnock has been known to collect more than a hundred 

 different species* 



Cypraia bullaU. Montagu, pi. 6. f. I. 



DENTAL! UM. 



