162 Mr. Sowerby on the Rece7it Species of Ovulum. 



A species which has been long well known as an inhabitant of the 

 British coast ; we have never heard of its occurring on any other. Leach 

 in his MSS. has elevated it to the rank of a genus, under the appellation 

 of Simnin, and in my work on the Genera of Shells I have expressed 

 some doubt as to the propriety of placing it with the Ovula, from which 

 it seems naturally separated by the sharp edge of its outer lip : there is, 

 however, another species which serves to connect it closely with the 

 Ovula, namely, Lamarck's Ovulum aciculare, and it therefore appears 

 desirable to give it a place among them. 



Without venturing to express an opinion respecting its proper place in 

 a Natural System, I may still direct the attention of the reader to the 

 similarity existing between this shell and the Bullce Maucum and cylin- 

 drica. It seems to a certain degree naturally to connect the genera. 



Having nearly two years since prepared the foregoing account of the 

 recent species of the genus Ovulum, as one of the genera intended for 

 the first number of my " Species Conchyllorum," I had proposed to 

 have preserved it untilfavourable circumstances enabled me to publish 

 it in that work; but as Mr. Gray has abandoned the subject in conse- 

 quence of my having expressed my intention of describing the species 

 of this genus, I think it but justice to publish it here first. It appears 

 in an imperfect state, because I have not yet had an opportunity of mak- 

 ing myself acquainted with the fossil species. These must be given at a 

 future time. 



I may perhaps be permitted to add one word relative to the work 

 above mentioned, for which this paper vras originally prepared. It may 

 have been Inferred, from the circumstance of no part having yet made 

 its appearance, that the intention of producing such a work is abandoned; 

 this, however, is far from being the fact; it is nevertheless to be la- 

 mented that much as such a work is wanted everywhere, the risk is very 

 great, and the encouraging circumstances but few. I beg to be allowed 

 still to express a hope that the first number will not be a very long time 

 before it makes its appearance ; I am so confident of the excellence of 

 its execution, and so assured of its usefulness, as to feel satisfied that it 

 cannot fail of being successful. 



