MELVILL AND STANDEN : CYPR^ID^ OF THE PERSIAN GULF. 119 



might be merged in one. It is always possible to define them, in 

 our opinion. 



Cypraea erosa L. 



P.G. Rare, but widely distributed. Found usually on muddy 

 sand, near rocks, at low water, to seven fathoms. 



The largest specimen comes near var. phegedina Melv. 



Var. nebrites Melv. 



M.C. One very fine example. Charbar, five fathoms. 



This variety, were it not for the lateral blotches, which are more 

 than usually pronounced, might be considered a form of ocellata L., 

 almost identical with var. palatha. 



Cypraea felina Gmel. 



P.G. Gulf of Oman, Maskat. 



M.C. Rare. Found at half-tide mark, never much below that, 

 under rocks. 



Var. fabula Kiener. 



P.G. Gulf of Oman, Maskat, Charbar. 



Very finely coloured and large. 



In the survey of Cyprcea the variety was given specific rank. 

 Having seen of late years some intermediates, we think its right 

 arrangement is as above. 



Cypraea fimbriata Gmel. 

 P.G. E. Dabai. 



Generally found among coral-sand and algge, at from five to ten 

 fathoms. 



M.C. Charbar. Not yet found eastward of this place (F.W.T.). 

 Var. macula Ad. (sp.). 

 P.G. Occurs with the type. 



C. hirundo L. 



P.G. Fine examples, accidentally mixed with fimbriata, and so 

 excluded from our last enumeration. 



Cypraea lamarckii Gray. 



Three small, but typical examples, from Karachi. 



Cypraea lentiginosa Gray. 



P.G. Shaikh Shuaib Island, five to ten fathoms, coral and stones, 

 Dabai. 



M.C. Locally general. 



Jask, seven fathoms. 



I. Karachi. 



This select species is found locally plentiful in the above localities, 

 especially in the Persian Gulf, the forms obtained for the Telegraph 

 Cable are of lighter texture and more graceful form, slightly pyriform, 



