141 
Mitra, Lamarck. 
Gen. Char. A turreted subfusiform n ni- 
val ved shell, with an acute spire, a notched 
but not chancelled base ; and parrallel 
plaits, of which the lowest are smallest, 
upon the columella ; inner lip of the aper- 
ture thin, connected with the columella. 
This Genus is composed of shells, long ago recognized 
by Collectors as different from Volutes, and appears to 
be a very natural one, distinguished by the elongated 
subfusiform contour of its members. The plaits upon 
the columella form the essential character ; but the 
pointed apex, upon which so much stress is laid by 
Lamarck, can hardly be admitted as a distinguishing 
mark, since we find it very serviceable as a specific 
distinction between Volutes, otherways very nearly re« 
lated together, and wholly unlike Mitres (see Y. germ- 
nata, t. 398.) 
The. recent species are often very" elegantly colored, 
and variously ornamented with striae, tubercles, &c. they 
have a thin epidermis. 
Fossil species are numerous abroad, but only one 
English species has been described ; even that if we 
were willing to multiply Genera, might perhaps form 
with M. monodonta, a new Genus. 
