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Show 728 MR. E. A. SMITH ON NEW SHELLS FROM [June 18, 15. Descriptions of five new Shells from the Island of Formosa and the Persian Gulf, and Notes upon a few known Species. By E D G A R A. S M I T H , F.Z.S. [Eeceived June 18, 1878.] (Plate XLVI.) MELANIA FORMOSENSIS. (Plate XLVI. figs. 4 & 5.) Shell elongate, subulate, olivaceous yellow, purer yellow beneath the whorls, marked with longitudinal, undulating, more or less interrupted and broken flammules of a dark brown colour, at the top of the whorls forming conspicuous blotches, and at the base of the body-whorl with a broad blackish-brown band. Whorls 13, a little constricted at the upper part and submarginated and somewhat convex beneath, the first 9 or 10 obliquely costate and deeply transversely sulcate, the lowermost sulcus at the suture being particularly wide, forming a canaliculation, the last three whorls only spirally sulcate and striated by obliquely flexuous lines of growth; sulci narrower than the interstices, about 10 in the penultimate whorl and 24 in the last. Aperture ovate, acute superiorly, within of the same colour as the exterior, but clouded by a white enamel, the brown flammulation and spiral basal band being visible ; columella white, oblique, but slightly arcuate. Length 33 millim., diameter 9|; aperture 9| long, 5 wide. Var. In this variety the longitudinal plicae extend as far as the penultimate whorl, and are even partially developed on the last. Hab. Formosa (Dickson). This species, which I feel much pleasure in naming after Mr. Matthew Dickson, has been liberally presented to the Museum by him, together with the other Melaniae here described, and a numerous series of insects. MELANIA DICKSONI. (Plate XLVI. fig. 6.) Shell elongate, acuminate, shining, olivaceous yellow, purplish brown at the apex, with or without spiral brown bands. Whorls 8 or 9, moderately convex, the six upper ones almost smooth, only finely striated longitudinally by lines of growth, and also transversely, the last two with a iew faint transverse keels or ridges. Aperture ovate, acuminate above, occupying nearly f of the entire length, white within, the brown bands of the exterior (when present) also visible. Lip thin, almost even, not prominent or sinuated; columella rather thickly callous in the umbilical region, and united to the lip above by a very thin callosity. Length 21 millim., diameter 8 ; aperture 8j loug, 5 wide. Hab. Formosa (Dickson). This is a very remarkable species, and looks more like a North- American than an Eastern form. The brown transyerse bands are present in five out of the six spe- |
