232 MANtJAL OF THE MOLLtTSCA. 



YoLVAniAj Lam. 



Etymology^ voiva^ a wrapper. 

 Type, V. buUoides, PI. YII., Fig. 17. 



Shell cylindrical, convolute : spire tointite ; aperture long and 

 narrow ; columella with, three oblique plaits in front. 

 Distribution, 29 species, tropical seas. 

 Fossil, 5 ? species. Eocene. Britain, Prance. 



Mabginiella, Lam. 



Etymology^ diminutive of margo, a rim. 



Synonyms, Porcellana (Adans.)^ Grray. Persicula, Schum. 



Types, M. nubeculata, PI. YIL, Pig. 18. M. persicula, 

 Vig. 19. 



Shell smooth, bright; spire short or concealed; aperture 

 truncated in front ; columella plaited ; outer lip (of adult) with 

 a thickened margin. 



Animal similar to cypreea. 



Distribution, 139 species. Tropical, West Indies, Brazil, 

 Mediterranean (1 small species) j West Africa, China, Australia. 



Fossil, 30 species. Eocene — . Prance, &c. 



Sub-genus, Hyalina, Schum. Outer lip scarcely thickened. 



Type, voluta pallida, Montfort, West Indies. 



Family VI.— Cype^id^. Cowries. 



Shell convolute, enamelled ; spire concealed ; aperture narrow, 

 channelled at each end ; outer lip (of adult) thickened, inflected. 

 No operculum. 



Animal with a broad foot) truncated in front ; mantle expanded 

 on each, side, forming lobes, which, meet over the back of the 

 shell ; these lobes are usually ornamented with tentacular fila- 

 ments ; eyes on the middle of the tentacles or near their base ; 

 branchial plume single. Lingual ribbon long, partly contained 

 in the visceral cavity ; racMs 1 toothed; uncini 3. In Ovulum 

 the teeth are 2. 1. 2. the outermost broad, with pectinated 

 margins. Loven describes the Cyprseidse as having a short, non- 

 retractile muzzle, and places them between the Naticidw and 

 Lamellaria. The cowries inhabit shallow water, near shore, 

 feeding on zoophytes. 



Ctprjea, L. Cowry. 



Etymology, Cypris, a name of Yenus. 



Types, C. tigris, C. mauritiana PI. YII., Fig. 20. 



