by William Swainson

“ Among the first are several species, which, like the Cowries, appear destitute of any spire (as in M. cingulata) ; this part, however, begins to show itself in other successive species very progressively, until it becomes elevated and defined in M. glabella. This shell may be considered the passage to the second division, in which the species lose the simple oval form of the first, and acquire a contracted base and pointed spire, perfectly resembling Voluta undulata Lam. and its allies. ”

“ This genus must, then, be considered as connecting those of Cypræa and Voluta (Lam.) ; excepting one, the whole of the species are very small; and as the three here selected to illustrate these remarks are frequently seen, and have been often described under other names, little more is necessary than to detail their specific characters. ”

“ M. testâ ovatâ, plicatâ, fulvâ, punctis fuscis ornatâ; spirâ conicâ; basi emarginatâ; columellâ 4 plicata. Shell oval, plaited, fulvous, with brown dots; spire conic; base notched; pillar 4 plaited. V. faba. Gm. 3445. Lister, 812. 22. Martini, 2. t. 42. f. 431? 432, and 3. En. Meth. 377. 1. Gualt. 28. Q. Dill. 528. 63.
The whorls of this pretty shell are plaited into little nodules; it is usually very small. The supposed variety figured by Martini, and mentioned by Mr. Dillwyn, I am inclined to believe, may be a distinct species. ”