CYMBA. 



in young shells, becomes progressively less rude and more 

 firm, till in Cymba Cymbium {V, Cymbium, Auct.) it takes 

 the form of a smooth button. or nail head; and, on arriv- 

 ing at this species, we have, for the first time variety of 

 colour in the full grown shell, though obscurely clouded 

 and ill defined. Lamarck refers to Adanson's figure of 

 L' Yet for our Cymba Neptuni ( V, Neptuni, Auct.) and 

 though Linne refers tO the same figure for his V, Cymbium, 

 there can be little doubt that Lamarck is correct in his 

 reference. Our description of the soft parts is taken 

 from Adanson. The animal is carnivorous, and is eaten 

 by the natives of the coasts where it abounds. 



We are not aware that any of the shells of this Genus 

 have been found in a fossil state. 



Fig. 1. A young shell of C. Neptuni, (Valuta Navicula, Gmel. for this is 

 one of the many instances of the difference of age being mistaken 

 for specific diflference,) showing the amorphous apex, which in old 

 specimens becomes entirely concealed. 



2. C. Cymbium. 



3. A small but old shell of C.proboscidalis, the apex entirely concealed, 



and the whole shell covered with the enamel-like glaze. 



For the descriptions of this and the following Genus, Melo, the public are 

 indebted to W, J. Broderip, Esq. who has also kindly engaged to furnish the 

 description of Voluta. This gentleman's polite compliance with our request, 

 that he would assist us in this part of our labours, has obliged him to anticipate 

 in our work some parts of his own monographs of the Genera Cymba, Melo, 

 and Voluta; thus increasing our obligation to him: an obligation which, how- 

 ever, we are the more willing to incur, because we are fully assured that from 

 the extensive collection he has brought together in illustration of the species, 

 and his intimate acquaintance with the subject, he is the only person capable of 

 doing it justice. 



