JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 7I 



are so fortunate as to possess " Golden Keys." Some pages only of 

 the manuscripts ever reached the general public, but they are of 

 intense interest to naturalists. The MoUusca, acquired by deep sea 

 dredging of the Challenger, etc., may yet be issued in a less expen- 

 sive form, with specimens correctly figured. The shells themselves 

 so obtained, we need hardly remark, are altogether out of the reach 

 of private individuals. 



CYPRi^ID^ — COWRIES. 



These beautifully spotted and enamelled shells have so well 

 defined an aperture that there seems no possibility of mistaking the 

 family. The aperture is narrow, and both ends terminate in canals ; 

 the lips toothed at either side. Upwards of 300 species are now 

 living, but many also put in an appearance in a fossilized state even 

 so far back as when the Cretaceous (chalk beds) were deposited 

 eons of ages ago. Perhaps the Cowries possess more attraction for 

 ordinary visitors here to the Museum than any of the other family 

 groups in the cases. This may be owing in some measure to the 

 care taken in their selection. Dealers frequently endeavor to palm 

 off what are called "dead shells" (received in large consignments) 

 on people who cannot see they have lost a considerable part of the 

 color, and are much inferior to " living shells," viz., such as are 

 obtained alive by the hand or dredge of the collector. 



We must not forget it is only when fully grown that the Cowries 

 are furnished with teeth at both sides of the aperture, and that one 

 branch of the family, commonly called the egg or white Coivry, is 

 an exception. The teeth of this species is confined to the outer lip, 

 and in the Ovvlum Volva the canals are considerably prolonged at 

 each end. 



Visitors frequently express their surprise when informed that all 

 specimens under this head, with one or two exceptions, are in the 

 natural state, the fresh and bright appearance noticed only shows 

 careful selection on the part of the purchaser. 



The Cypoea Moneta, or Money Cowrey, is extensively imported 

 from the Indo-Pacific Sea for the purpose of barter with the natives 

 of Africa. No less than 300 tons entered Liverpool in 1849. 

 Nearly half a century ago, as well as I recollect, a foreign Naturalist 

 claimed that he dredged from the north-west of the African coast— 



