254 POPULAR CONCHOLOGY. 



great beauty, neither attaining the vivid tints 

 nor the delicate markings of those more favoured 

 in situation. The Cyprcea Europea, or Nun 

 Cowrie, is found in abundance on our own 

 coasts. 



When at rest the Cyprcea remains buried 

 under the sand, at the bottom of the sea, at a 

 short distance from the shore; it occasionally 

 traverses the rocks and coast, and may be found 

 under stones and corals. 



The Cyprcea moneta, or Money Cowrie, is the 

 current coin of Siam, Bengal, and Africa: it 

 is collected in the latter by the negro women, 

 and sent into different countries. In Bengal 

 3200 are reckoned to be equivalent to a rupee, 

 or about two shillings of English money. In 

 the Friendly Islands permission to wear the 

 Cyprcea aurantia, or Orange Cowrie, as an 

 ornament, is only granted to persons of the 

 highest rank. 



The C. aurora is considered the most rare 

 of this genus. The New Zealanders suspend 

 it to their dress as an ornament, and it is 

 therefore frequently found with an artificial 

 perforation. C cervina is supposed to be the 



