CYPRiEA tesseJIaia, 

 Mosaic CowTy. 



Generic Character. 



" Testa Icevigata, ovata, convexa, marginibus inxolutis, apeitura longi- 

 tudinalis, angustata, utrinque dentata, ad extremitutes effusa. 

 Spira minima, ohtecia." — Lam. Ann. du Mus. vol. 16. p. 443. 



Animal marinum (Pectitiibranchi). Penula dilatata, testam omnino 

 obtegens. Tentaciila deprcssa, subulata. Oculi juxta tentacu- 

 lorum basin externam adsiti. — Adanson, H. N, du Senegal. 



Shell smooth, oval, convex, the margins turned inward ; aperture 



longitudinal, narrow, toothed on both sides, the extremities 



effuse. Spire minute, concealed. — Lamarck. 

 Animal marine ; mantle dilated and folding over the whole shell. 



Tentacula depressed, subulate, at the external base of which 



are the eyes. — Adanson. 



Specific Character. 



C. testd obtusd, gibbd, auranjtiacd, ad latera tesseris albis fuscisque 

 alternis tessellata. 



Shell obtuse, gibbous, orange, the sides with alternate tessellated 

 spots of white and brown. 



Amidst all the changes in systematic arrangement which 

 Conchology has, of late years, undergone, the Cyprcca 

 remain untouched; indeed, they present such a uniformity 

 of character, that the most superficial observer cannot mis- 

 take them. A few species of Ovula, however, bear a strong 

 resemblance to the genus, but may be known from not 

 having teeth on each side the mouth. The Cowries are 

 without exception the most beautiful of all shells, whether 

 the richness and harmony of their colours, or the exquisite 

 polish of their exterior, is considered; but (like many other 

 things of more consequence) their beauty is depreciated by 

 their frequency. The indefatigable Lamarck has described 

 sixty-six species, only one of which inhabits the European 

 seas. Adanson has furnished a minute account of the struc- 

 ture of the animal, and Bruguiere has given long and inte- 

 resting details of its economy. 



Mrs. Mawe is in possession of this very beautiful little 

 shell ; a string of them were presented her as coming from 

 New Zealand : that which formed the centre was the only 

 perfect specimen, and from that the figures were taken. 

 PI. 111. 



