VOLUTA LEVIS.

SMOOTH VOLUTE.

GENERIC CHARACTER?

Animal a Limax. Shell with one cell, spiral; aperture without a tail or beak, and somewhat effuse. Columella plaited; generally without lips or umbilicus.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Shell rather ovate, very smooth; spire obtuse; two plaits on the pillar lip; lip gibbous, and slightly denticulated.

VOLUTA LÆVIS: testa obovata lævissima, spira obtusa, columella biplicata, labro gibbo subdenticulato.

VOLUTA EDENTULA. Mus. Portl.

As a British species, this extremely rare little shell was first noticed on the coast of Weymouth, being dredged up in deep water by some fishermen, and consigned to the cabinet of the late Dutchess of Portland. The specimens we have figured, are two of those originally in the

Dr. Solander, who, it is well known to the scientific conchologist, intended to have published a catalogue of that Museum, it appears, on a reference to his posthumous papers, called this species edentula ; a name which, without detracting from the merit of that able naturalist, it must be allowed is by no means applicable. So far from its being destitute of teeth, the series of denticulations are sufficiently visible on the columella; those on the lip are yet more prominent, and can by no means justify the appellation of edentula.

Voluta Lævis, for such we have presumed to name this shell, is remarkably glossy, free in a perfect degree from any kind of striæ, whitish, and most delicately tinged with pale blushes of red, and yellowish or straw colour.—It has much the habit of a cypræa, and might without any impropriety be arranged under that genus.