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Show 726 DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE CALYPTK/EIDJ"*. [June 27, vexis, ultimo angusto, rotundato, basi subnitido, costulis in umbilicum perspectivum et \ diametri eequantem descendentibus ; apertura fere diagonali, lunari; peristomate simplici, tenui. Diam. maj. 0*08, min. 0*07, alt. 0*04 une. Hab. Greystanes, New South Wales (Cox). Easily distinguished from the nearly allied H. cochlidium, Cox, by the difference in colour, and the fineness of the minute riblets, which are also much more numerous than in its white plicately-ribbed ally. 10. Notes on the Specimens of Calyptrceidce in M r . Cuming's Collection. By Dr. J. E. G R A Y , F.R.S., V.P.Z.S., F.L.S., &c. Mrs. Gray having kindly undertaken to place some of the shells of the late Mr. Cuming's collection on tablets, the specimens of certain families have come under my supervision, and I have been induced to make some observations that I thought might tend to the better understanding of the species. I herewith send m y notes on the shells of the family Calyptrceidce, and this paper may be followed by some others of a similar character. I shall preface these notes by some observations on the collection itself. I certainly should have considered the following observations unnecessary if most exaggerated statements had not been published respecting the collection, which are likely to mislead the public-such, for example, as that each specimen had not only its name and its special locality attached to it, but also the depth in the ocean at which it was found, and that the specimens are in all instances the actual types of the species from which the descriptions have been taken. As this is not the case, it is necessary that some account of the collection as it was received by the British Museum should be given, in order that it may be properly understood by the scientific concho-logists who may hereafter consult it. I have not the least intention by the following remarks to depreciate the value of Mr. Cuming's labours as a collector, or of his collection ; for every conchologist, both scientific and amateur, is very greatly indebted to him for having collected one of the largest and most perfect collections of shells ever brought together ; for be not only collected extensively himself, but he excited others to collect, and he left no stone unturned to obtain from other collections in all countries such specimens as he wanted, or from which, as types, species had been described; and he also, in the most free and liberal manner, opened the collection to the use of such conchologists and monographers as would fall into his views as to the describing and naming of species. When I first saw the collection, fifteen or sixteen years ago, as may be seen by m y report to the Trustees of the British Museum, |