Brug\—Enc?/cl. inetJwd. 



TESTA obloiiga, subcylindrica, lasvigata spira 

 brevi, anfractibus caiiaiiculo separatis : Apertura 

 eloiig'ata^ basi emarginata : Columella oblique 

 striata ; appeiidice ad basim sub-tumida et 

 obliqiia. 



Lamarck informs us, that only two species belonging to 

 this Genus have been described by Linnt^ they are his 

 Volutce Porpliyria and Olixa. They are evidently placed 

 by him among- the Voluto^^ on account of the stride on 

 the Columella, without reference to the great peculi- 

 arity of the canal which separates the volutions from each 

 other, and by which the Olives are so easily distinguished 

 from all other shells. 



Shell oblong, subcylindrical, with a short spire, whose 

 volutions are separated from each other by a narrow canal. 

 Aperture elongated ; rather narrow, notched at its base. 

 The Columellar or internal lip^ is obliquely striated, and it 

 has at its base an oblique, rather tumid, striated appendage 

 or varix, like that of Ancilla^ but not so distinct. Smooth 

 all over, and the volutions above the canal coated with a 

 shelly enamel-like substance. Distinguishable from Ancilla 

 by the striated columella, and the canal which separates . 

 the volutions. 



There are many, undoubtedly, very distinct recent 

 species, and many more varieties of Oliva^ some of which, 

 are naturally very beautifully coloured ; others, which are 

 not so prettily coloured by nature, are, nevertheless, ren- 

 dered very handsome, by artificially taking off their outer 

 coat. They are common, and on that account not highly 

 valued. The fossil species are few and scarce, they occur 



