Sowerby's Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells. ^33 



in turn imparts to the world, and thus, should ambition urge 

 him so far, he is at length enrolled among the more distinguished 

 votaries of that science in which he has found the recreation and 

 delight of his leisure hours. That such results will again and 

 again be produced by the labours of Messrs. Kirby and Spence, 

 Me confidently expect. In other departments of Zoology the 

 same end would doubtless be attained by the employment of 

 similar means, and we do hope that these means will not be 

 suffered to remain wanting while we have those among us whose 

 talents and acquirements have peculiarly fitted them for sup- 

 plying the deficiency. 



The Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells. By G. B. Sowerby, 

 F.L.S. IVith original Plates. By J. D. C. Sowerby, F.L.S. 

 No. xxviii. 



The whole of the four genera illustrated in the present number 

 are new ; two of them being now, for the first time, separated 

 from Voluta, Lam., one from Venus^ Lin., and the remaining one 

 being founded on an undescribed species of Cirripeda. 



The first of these genera, Cymba, is thus characterized ; 

 " Testa levis, admodom ventricosa, plerumque uni- color. 

 Epidermis laevis, fusca, tegmine quasi vitreo partim vel omnino 

 obducta. Apex rudis. Spira brevissima. Columella curva, 

 2-3-plicata, plicis magnis, acutis. Labium externum baud re- 

 flexum. Basis profunde emarginata. Apertura hians. Oper- 

 culum nullum. Caput grande, planum, tentaculis remotis, oculis 

 pone tentacula positis, mediocribus. Pallium magnum ? Pes 

 niaximus. ^//«/;?o/ carnivorum. //«/;/^«/ marinum in calidioribus 

 mundi veteris regionibus. It includes six species, formerly part 

 of the section Gondolieres of Lamarck's Foluta, and is illustrated 

 by figures of C Neptuni in a young state, of C. Cyinbium, and 

 of C. proboscidalis. 



The second genus Meld, also forms part of the same section 

 of Voluta, Lam. The character assigned to it is as follows : 

 " Testa ventricosa, levis, ut plurimum colore vario. Epidermis 



