Cypraa reticulata anil Cypraa histrio distinct. 4Sj 



■ C. histrio, pars. Dcshaycs, 1844. Edit. Lamarck's Anim. sans Vert., 

 Vol. X., p. 496. 



Description. — Shell ovate, slightly attenuated at the extremi- 

 ties, very convex above, slightly so beneath ; sides moderately 

 thickened; spire apparent. The color above is chesnut-brown, 

 and there are transverse bands perceptible where the color is deep- 

 er than in the intermediate spaces. 15ack covered with whitish 

 spots, which are round or polygonal, and occasionally confluent. 

 The chesnut ground-work is also interrupted, or mottled, to a greater 

 degree than in the former species, by irregular, smaller white spots 

 or lines. A black stain usually apparent to the left of, and just 

 behind the spire. Dorsal line nearer the left margin, almost straight. 

 Sides whitish, sometimes passing into flesh-color, or with a slighB 

 tinge of peach-blossom, sprinkled with black spots, which are 

 sometimes transversely extended. These spots also appear on 

 each side of the posterior and anterior emarginations, as in the for- 

 mer species, but are not to be .confounded with the blotch or stain 

 just mentioned as existing near the spire. Color beneath, the sama 

 as the sides, with ro trace of the labial spot found in the preceding 

 species. Aperture less curved than in the C. reticulata; columel- 

 lar lip same as in that. Teeth chesnut-browh, well defined, bud 

 not extending upon the ventral face ; usually about 2S on each 

 side, but varying from 25 to 32. 



Length, 2.G inches. Breadth, 1.5. Height, 1.3. 



Habitat. Gmelfn and other early writers assign the Indian 

 Ocean as the locality of this species. The specimens brought to- 

 this country usually come from that ocean, and I am not aware that 

 it occurs eastward of Australia. 



The preceding descriptions are founded, of course, on the full- 

 sized adult shell. In the young state, the shells present fewer dif- 

 ferences, and are difficult to distinguish from the young of the C. 

 urabica. I have found, however, that the peculiar ventral spot of 

 the C. reticulata becomes apparent at a very early period, long 

 before the exterior coat of enamel is perfected. 



That the two shells described above present striking resem- 

 blances, in the general character of their marking, cannot be denied ; 



