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Show 292 MR. A. GARRETT ON THE TERRESTRIAL [Mar. 1, above which may be observed a sharp deflected parietal plait, aud a tubercle on the inner margin of the acute peristome, which latter is thickened within. Length 4| millim. Genus PYTHIA, Bolten. 1. PYTHIA TOLLEX (Hinds). Scarabus pollex, Hinds, Ann. Nat. Hist. x. p. 82 ; Voy. Sulph., Zool. p. 60, pl. 16. figs. 9 & 10 ; A. Adams, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1850, p. 150 ; Ann. Nat. Hist. 2nd ser. viii. p. 69; Reeve, Conch. Icon. sp. 7, fig. 7. Pythia pollex, Pfeiffer, Svn. Auric, no. 82 ; Mon. Auric, i. p. 86 Brit. Mus. Cat. Auric, p." 65 ; H. & A. Adams, Gen. Moll. ii. p. 240 ; Mousson. Journ. de Conch. 1870, p. 133 ; Paetel, Cat. Conch, p. 114 ; Schmeltz, Cat. Mus. Godeff. v. p. 87; Cox, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales, vi. p. 611. Scarabus sonatus, Hombron & Jacquinot, Voy. Pole Sud, Zool. v. p. 41, pl. 10. figs. 18-20. Very abundant and generally distributed throughout the group. Occurs beneath decaying vegetation in forests near the sea-shore. This species is subject to considerable variation in size, shape, and colour. Though usually umbilicated, it is nevertheless very frequently imperforate. The shape varies from broad ovate to oblong ovate; spire subacute, more or less produced, and laterally subangulated. The sculpture consists of longitudinal, closely set, elevated striae, often evanescent on the body-whorl, and very conspicuous and slightly arched on spire and upper part of the last whorl. The superior parietal tooth is subtriangular, the lower one compressed, fold-like, and subduplicated. The columellar plait is slightly oblique, compressed, and in imperforated specimens is continuous with the broadly expanded and slightly reflected peristome. The palate is armed with two stout and from four to six small teeth. The colour varies from light chestnut to blackish chestnut, more or less conspicuously mottled with luteous, and generally with one or two pale transverse bands above. The varices, which are not very conspicuous, are usually spotted with white or luteous. Uniform horn-coloured or luteous specimens with or without chestnut mottlings are not uncommon. Aperture white or buff-yellow, with or without chestnut rr.aeulations. Sometimes the very dark examples show three or four pale tramverse bands. The following measurements will show the variation in shape and size:- Length 36, diam. 21 millim. ,, Oi, ,, ZO ,, >> 2o, ,, 15 ,, 2. PYTHIA ALBOVARICOSA, Pfeiffer. Pythia albovaricosa, Pfeiffer, Zeit. Malak. 1853, p. 180; Syn. Auric, no. 84 ; Mon. Auric, i. p. 87 ; Brit. Mus. Cat. Auric, p. 66 |
