PLATE XXXII. J 



Cypr^eA Aurantium: testa subturbinata aurantia marglne alba 



immaculata fauce rutila. Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat, 

 T. l.p. 6. 3403. m. 



Cypr^A Aurora: testa ovato-ventricosa, turgida subglobosa, 



aurantia, immaculata ; lateribus albis ; fauce au- 

 rantia. Lamarck 7'. 7. 382. 14. 



Every Conchologist is aware of the existence of this superb shell: 

 its magnitude is considerable, and its colour too conspicuously distinct 

 from that of all other species of its genus to be passed over without 

 immediate observation. 



The Cyprsea generally are a tribe of shells peculiarly striking : 

 the most common species possess an elegance of fervid colouring and 

 politure that never fail to recommend them to attention. But a 

 few years only have passed away, since the mantle decorations of the 

 fire place in the apartments of fashion, besides images and jars of 

 china porcellain, consisted of shells, among which the various kinds 

 of Cowries were not esteemed the least ornamental. And they are 

 sometimes still seen in such situations ; while the grotesque statuary, 

 the josses, and the dragons, of China and Japan, in conformity with 

 a better taste, have wholly disappeared. 



The shells of the Cypraea, genus which are most familiar to the 

 generality of observers, are the spotted Cowries, and some others of 

 usual occurrence. There are others which from their rarity are less 

 extensively known, and among the number we may truly rank the 



