UNIVALVES. 



PLATE XX. 



Gems. CYPR^EA. 



Character. Shell generally oval and orbiculated ; cheek of the mouth folded 

 inwards; the mouth narrow, and wholly covered on each side with teeth; the apex 

 generally obscure. 



Species. 



No. 1. Cypr^a testudinosa. Shell dark brown, spotted with black, and clouded 

 with red, several minute white spots scattered over the whole ; the body 

 long and flat ; teeth pale brown. A native of the West Indies. 



No. 2. Cype^ea bandata. Shell of a pale brown, with a band of dark brown ; 

 spire very prominent ; teeth yellow. Native place Antigua. 



No. 3. Cypp^a contrastriata. Shell white, with streaks of an orange colour 

 running transversely over the whole shell ; teeth white. A native of the 

 East Indies. 



No. 4. CYPRiEA surinamensis. Shell white, mottled with a rich pink colour, and 

 partially spotted ; teeth pale brown. A native of Surinam, and extremely 

 rare. 



No. 5. Cypr^a maculata. Shell of a dark brown, sides and ends white, and 

 thickly spotted with dark spots. A native of the Eastern Seas. 



No. 6. CypRjEA achatina. Shell brown, shaded with red, and streaked with hair 

 lines ; ends very obtuse. A native of Otaheite. 



No. 7. Cypr^a argus. Shell of a pale red, ornamented with about one hundred 

 spots, of very different forms, some few being stellated, others round or an- 

 nulated. Named after Argus, who was fabled by the Poets to have a hun- 

 dred eyes. A native of the Atlantic Ocean. 



REMARKS. 



In the family of the Cypraeae, so attractive to the eye of the Connoisseur by the singular 

 expression of their form and colours, we have here given some of the more scarce species. 

 The distinctions are frequently difficult to trace, the difference of species being often only 

 indicated by an opposite marking of the colours ; it is observable also that the colours turn 

 gradually darker with age, and that the Cowry can never be considered as fully grown 

 until all the teeth are formed completely on both sides of the mouth. 



