This species has been added to the British Fauna by the late Miss Hutchins, who obtained many individuals from a herd of them which came into Bantry Bay. They have since been found on many other parts of the Irish coast.
We are disposed to place here, as a new genus, the .Bulla velutina of Muller, figured and described in the Zoologia Danica, tab. ci. fig. I, 2, 3, 4. It is the Helix lxvigata of British writers. The foot is destitute of lid or appendage, and is broad before and pointed behind. The tentacula are two in number, short and filiform, with eyes at their external base. The head is broad and short. In addition to these characters given by Muller, we have been enabled to add the following, from a spe cimen, somewhat altered, which was found in the sto mach of a cod-fish. The animal adheres to the shell by two linear muscles, one on each side the cloak. The branchial cavity is towards the left side. The tongue is spinous, narrow, with its free extremity spiral. Eyes rather behind the tentacula. Penis exserted on the right side of the neck, immediately behind the eye. Cloak large in proportion to the size of the foot. We have termed the genus Velutina, bestowing on the species the trivial name vulgaris.
The fourth FAMILY includes the Neritx of Linnxus, distinguished by the oblique straight pillar lip, and semi circular aperture, closed by an operculum. Two of the genera of this family, Natica and Nerita, are marine, while the Neritina, represented by the Nerita fluviatilis of Linnxus, lives in fresh-water streams.
The SECOND TRIBE includes the spiral canaliculated univalves of conchologists. The aperture of the shell at its anterior margin is formed into a groove or canal. This structure is occasioned by the anterior margin of the cloak being produced over the aperture of the gills, for the purpose of acting like a syphon or tube, to convey the water to and from the branchial cavity. The species are considered as oviparous, with distinct sexes in sepa rate individuals.
The first Family includes the genus C'onua of Lin nxus. The animals are furnished with a long proboscis, and tentacula, the latter bearing the eyes near the sum mit on the outside. The lid is placed obliquely on the foot, and is too small to fill the mouth of the shell. The species, which nearly amount to two hundred in num der, are all inhabitants of the seas of warm countries. They are now arranged under the genera Conus and Te rebel lu in.
The second Family, represented by the genus Cyprea, contains likewise many species. The cloak of the ani mal is sufficiently large to admit of its extension over the surface of the shell. The animal casts its shell as it in creases in size, and forms a new one suited to its dimen sions, as we have formerly stated. When the shells arc
obtained before they have received their external coat, they have been regarded as new species. The foot is destitute of a lid.
The third Family consists of the genus Ovula of Bru guiere. The animals of the different species are un known. 'The shells have been distributed into the fol lowing genera by Montfort-0 vula, Ca I purna, and Volvo. The last includes a British shell, the Bulla patula of Pennant.
The fourth Family includes the Volutx of Linnaeus. The genera, which are the following, appear to he des titute of a lid. Voluta Oliva, Cymbium, Marginella, Cancellaria, Colombella, Mitra Ancilla, Volvaria, and Tornatella.
The fifth Family is represented by the genus Bucci num of Linnxus. The canal is short, scarcely produced beyond the anterior margin of the lip, and bent towards the left. All the animals which have been examined are furnished with a retractile proboscis. The eyes are situ ated at the external base of the tentacula ; and the foot is furnished with a lid. The following genera have been established in this family : Buceinum, Eburna, Doliurn, Harpa, Nassa, Purpura, Cassis, Morio, Terebra, Cerithium, and Potamida. In the two last the head is fur nished with a hood, of which the former genera are des titute.
The sixth Family consists of the genus Murex of Linnxus. The canal of the aperture is straight, and more or less produced. The inhabitants exhibit nearly the same form as those of the preceding family. The following genera appear to be formed on permanent cha racters: Murex, Typhis, Ranella, Fusus, Pleurotoma, Pyrula, Fasciolaria, and Turbinella.
The seventh Family includes the Strombi of Linnxus. These possess a canal which is short, and either straight or bent towards the right. The outer margin of the aperture is expander] with age, and exhibits a second canal, generally near the former, for the passage of the head. The following genera belong to this family : Stromhus, Pteroccra, Rostellaria.
The TIIIRD TRIBE is represented by the Helix halio toidea of Linnaeus, now constituting the genus Sigaratus.
The foot of the animals belonging to this family, or rather of the species which constitutes the type, is oval, with a duplicature in front. The cloak is broad, with an indentation on the left side, in front, leading to the branchial cavity. A ring of transverse muscles unites the cloak with the foot. On the back is placed the shell, which does not appear on the outside, as it is co vered by a thick cuticle. It is lodged in a sack, and united by a muscle, which adheres to the pillar. The hood is produced, at each side, into a flattened tentacu