CYPRÆA, or Gowrie, in zoology, a genus of insects belonging to the order of vermes testacea. It is an animal of the limax or snail kind; the shell is one involuted, subovated, obtuse, smooth valve. The aperture on each side is linear, longitudinal, and teethed. There are 44 species, distinguished by the form of their shells. The pediculus, or common gowrie, is represented on Plate CLIV.

This genus is called cypraea and venerea from its being peculiarly dedicated to Venus; who is said to have endowed a shell of this genus with the powers of a remora, so as to impede the course of the ship which was sent by Periander tyrant of Corinth with orders to capture the young nobility of Corcyra.