CYPRAA. 35 
which, commencing with the outer lip, spreads over the body of 
the shell. Obs. These very elegant shells, found in Africa, are 
distinguished from the true Volutes by the shapeless, mammil- 
lated apex of the short spire, by the large size of the aperture, 
and by the horizontal ledge which separates the outer lipfrom 
the body whorl. The genus Melo, also separated by Mr. Brod- 
erip from the Volutes, agrees with Cymba in some respects, but 
differs in the regularity of thespire. Fig. 434, C. Porcina. 
CYMBIO'LA. Sw. The generic name of a group of Volutes, 
described as ‘“‘armed with spinous tubercles, sometimes smooth, 
but never ribbed; spiral whorls gradually diminishing in size, 
but not distorted; apex thick and obtuse; pillar with four plaits.”’ 
Mr. Swainson remarks that this genus is chiefly distinguished 
by the obtuse, but not irregular spire. The typical species are 
stated to be V. Rutila, and V. Vespertilio, fig. 433. 
CYMBU'LIA. (Dim, from Cymba.) Fam. Pteropoda, Lam. 
An extremely light, cartilaginous external covering of a mollus- 
cous animal, so named from its similarity in shape to a boat. 
We mention it here because it is reckoned among the shells of 
the Mediterranean. 
CY’PRZZA. Auct. Fam. Enroulées, Lam. Angyostomata, 
Bl. Descr. Oval, or oblong, ventricose, convolute, covered by 
enamel, generally smooth, shiny. Spire short nearly hid. 
Aperture, Bee narrow, terminating in a short canal at both 
extremities.= Outer-lip dentated, thickened, inflected. Inner- 
lip dentated, thickened, reflected over part of the body whorl. 
Obs. These shells are so distinguished by the two rows of teeth 
arranged on each side of the aperture; the thickened front, 
formed by the inner and outer lips; and the enamel deposited 
over the back of the shell from the mantle of the animal which 
envelopes it, that there is no danger of confounding them with 
any other genus, except in a young state. Before they have 
arrived atthe full growth, the front is not thickened, and the 
outer-lip is thin, not sanected: nor are the teeth formed. In this 
state the shell resembles, in some degree, an Oliva. Some species 
are striated, ribbed, or tuberculated, but the generality are 
smooth. Most species belong to tropical climates, only one to 
Great Britain. The C. Moneta is current as money in some 
parts of Africa, and many species are worn as ornaments by the 
South Sea Islanders. The colouring in most species is exceed- 
ingly rich, and arranged in every variety of spots, patches, rings, 
lines, bands and clouds. The species most esteemed by collec- 
tors are the C. Mappa, C. Testudinaria, C. Pustulata, C. Aurora, 
C. Princeps, of which only two specimens are known, C. Leucodon, 
&c. See also Cypreovula, Trivia, and Luponia. The fossil 
species are principally from the Calc-grossiér, ce London 
clay, Crag, &c. Fig. 445, to 450. 
