Zoological Society, 59 



4. Cypilea gracilis (Slender Cowrie). Cyp. testd oblongo-ovatd, 

 antice gradatim acuminatd, pallide flavescente-brunned, maculis 

 dorsalibus irregularibus pallide brwmeis, lateribusbasalibus brunneo 

 punctatis, punctis paucis distinctis ; basi pallescente ; latere postico 

 columellari subgibboso ; aperturd latiusculd, subspirali ; dentibus 

 labii externi prominentibus cequalibus, circa octodecim, labii colu- 

 mellaris cequalibus, anticis paululum majoribus, pariter circa octo- 

 decim ; sulco columellari antico depresso, postico inconspicuo de- 

 presso ; extremitatibus canalibus latisque prominentibus ; spird 

 conspicud, profunde umbilicatd. 



Shell oblongo- ovate, gradually tapering towards the anterior end, 

 smooth and shining, of a light fawn-colour, with very light brown 

 irregular markings about the back, and a few distinct dark brown 

 dots on the edges of the base of the shell on both sides, bands 

 indistinct ; inside of shell milk-white ; base somewhat lighter in 

 colour than the back ; posterior half of the columellar side rather 

 gibbous, outer side of base somewhat depressed in the centre por- 

 tion ; aperture subspiral, rather wide ; teeth of the lip prominent 

 and even, extending in no degree on to the lip (only denticulating 

 its edge), about eighteen in number, and about as many also on the 

 columellar side, which are larger anteriorly, even, terminating ex- 

 ternally in a line at the edge of, or rather just within the aperture, 

 and internally, proceeding straight across the columellar groove to 

 terminate at its inner edge the anterior half of the shell, and on the 

 columella in points, the posterior half, there being mere small pro- 

 jections indicating the continuance of the inner edge of the colu- 

 mellar groove, which extends the whole length of the columella, 

 diminishing in depth in the middle of the shell, and deepening at 

 the posterior end to form a part of the channel ; margins slightly 

 prominent, thick on the outer side only, not crenulated ; extremities 

 of a light brown colour externally, much produced and thick ; both 

 the anterior are marginated and flattened externally ; channels wide 

 and protrude beyond the body of the shell ; spire visible, deeply um- 

 bilicated. 



Long, ^ 6 oths of an inch ; wide, -nfoths ; high, -j^yths. 



Hob. ? 



The only specimen I have seen of this elegant shell is in my col- 

 lection, and was brought to this country by Sir E. Belcher in the 

 ' Samarang.' 



The only species with which this shell has any affinity is the Cyp. 

 Sauli of Gaskoin ; and differs from it in the teeth being finer, and 

 in being rather within the aperture, in having a columellar groove, 

 in the absence of colour between the teeth, in being more ventricose, 

 the wanting the characteristic dark blotch on the dorsum of Sauli, 

 and difference of general coloration. 



I have thought it proper to add to this description the following 

 note : — 



" My dear Sir, — I have carefully examined the little Cypraea 

 which you left with me yesterday, and which you proposed to name 

 Cyp. gracilis. It appears to me to be in perfect condition, and to 



