The shells of this genus are short, small, and rather thick; found in
the seas of hot countries.
The C. mercatoria is very common on the shores of the Atlantic in warm
latitudes, and was formerly used as money.
Shell thick, turbinated; spire short, obtuse; aperture narrow,
elongated, terminated by a very short canal or notch, rendered narrow by
an inflation at the inner side of the right edge, and by some plaits on
the columella; a very small horny operculum.
Columbella strombiformis.
C. rustica.
C. mercatoria.
C. Hebræa.
C. flavida.
C. semipunctata.
C. bizonalis.
C. reticulata.
C. pardalina.
C. scripta.
C. ovulata.
C. nitida.
C. zonalis.
C. fulgurans.
C. mendicaria.
C. turturina.
C. punctata.
C. unifascialis.
_C. strombiformis._ The Strombus-shaped Columbella. Pl. 29, fig. 6.
The type of this genus, partly characterized by its name.
_C. mercatoria._ The merchant Columbella.
Ovate, white, sulcated, transversely clouded with brown or yellow; outer
lip dentated internally.