"The family Collumellaria is next in order. The canal now disappears at the base of the shell, but there is a slope and folds on the columella. We have reached the large genus Voluta of Linnæus, greatly reduced by withdrawing the following genera:
| Columbella, |  | Voluta. |
| Mitra, | ||
| Cymba, | ||
| Melo, | ||
| Voluta, | ||
| Marginella, | ||
| Volvaria, |
"The shells of Columbella are of small size; two species are very common in collections. C. mercatoria is a little shell striated transversely; the outer lip is thickened in the middle, and toothed; the columella is plaited: the animal is furnished with an operculum.
"Columbella nitida is another pretty species, smooth and shining: you may perceive the generic marks if you look closely—two small folds on the pillar-lip, and the swelling, toothed, outer margin. They are all West Indian marine shells.
MITRA.
CYMBA.
MELO.
"Mitra is a large genus, and it is believed that there are three times as many species yet undescribed. The mitres are natives of warm climates, and few are common. The pillar-lip of Mitra is parallel, with transverse folds; the base has a slope, but no canal; the margin of the columella is thin and rolled back. M. episcopalis, the bishop, is white with red spots; the columella-folds are four. ([Plate 9.]) M. papalis, the pope's-mitre, has five; the upper whorls are broken into a kind of crown.
"In Cymba, the gondola, the spire ends in a tubercle, and scarcely appears; the aperture is wide: they are very pretty shells.
"Melo, the melon, from the Indian Ocean, is a very fine genus; here the spire is evident.
"Voluta musica will serve as an example of the genus. The animal is carnivorous.
"Marginella is an oblong, smooth, and polished shell; its peculiar character is the thickened outer lip; it is a neat, small species, prettily coloured.