CYPR^CASSIS. 133 



resembles, in some degree, an Oliva. Some species are striated, 

 ribbed, or tuberculated, but the generality are smooth. Most 

 species belong to tropical climates, only one to Great Britain. 

 The C. Moneta is current as money in some parts of Africa, and 

 many species are worn as ornaments by the South Sea Islanders. 

 The colouring in most species is exceedingly rich, and arranged in 

 every variety of spots, patches, rings, lines, bands and clouds. 

 The species most esteemed by collectors are C. Mappa, C. Testu- 

 dinaria, C. Pustulata, C. Aurora, C. Princeps, of which only two 

 specimens are known, C. Leucodon, &c. See also Cyprseovulum, 

 Trivea and Luponia. The fossil species are principally from the 

 Calc-grossier, the London Clay, Crag, &c. Fig. 445 to 450. 

 The latest revision of this genus has been effected by Mr. G. B. 

 Sowerby, sen., who has published a complete catalogue in his son's 

 Conchological Illustrations. This catalogue enumerates 130 

 species, the whole of which are figured in parts 1 to 8, 101 to 

 131 of the above mentioned work. 

 CYPR.ECASSIS. Stutch. (Cypreea and Cassis.)— Descr. Shell, 

 when young, striated, reticulated, or tuberculated; outer lip 

 simple : when mature, outer lip involute and toothed ; columellar 

 lip also toothed ; aperture straight, anteriorly terminated by a 

 recurved canal, posteriorly by a shallow channel. Animal with 

 the mantle bilobed ; operculum none. — Obs. The reasons given 

 for separating this genus from Cassis, are, 1st, That the shells of 

 the latter have an operculum, while those of the proposed genus 

 have none. 2nd, That the Cypreecassides do not form a com- 

 plete, thickened lip, before the full period of their growth, like 

 the Cassides. 3rd, That the Cyprsecassides have no epidermis. 

 The species mentioned as probably belonging to Cypraecassis are 

 C. rufa, the type ; C. coarctata, and C. Testiculus, Aucft The 

 establishment of this genus has been opposed on the ground that 

 indications of epidermis are discoverable in some specimens of C. 

 rufa ; that some specimens of the same species and Testiculus 

 have been examined, and found to have formed slightly thickened 

 and dentulated outer lips at very early periods of growth, while 

 many of the other Cassides are destitute of varices, and that an 



