OCR Text |
Show 1880.] LAND-SHELLS OF MENTON. 129 Var. PR,ECLARA, nov. (Plate XIII. fig. 7.) (An potius P. preeclara, n. sp. ?) This I for some time considered a distinct species ; at any rate it is a well-marked constant variety. It-was not rare, in deposit B only, and often in such perfect preservation that it looked as if the animal had only just been extracted. Spire slightly convex, much like that of var. plagiostoma, but more pupiform-that is, more tumidly swollen, not so attenuately contracted; whorls 8 to 9, the last two proportionally more swollen and convex, the last not compressed at its base (in this unlike all the preceding); very translucid, so much that the columella can be traced sometimes nearly to the apex, smooth, shining, no trace of the oblique sculpture characteristic of the preceding; the aperture is not unlike that of var. plagiostoma, though less contracted, equally oblong, as broad below as above-that is, with the margins parallel; the parietal fold considerably less vertical than in the type form ; the columellar one similarly straightly transverse ; the palatal ones, as seen through the back of the last whorl, seem to me much the same; the outer margin is less straight than in any of the preceding forms-that is to say, is more pinched-in at the callous tooth, and is consequently more arcuate above and below; the columellar one considerably less oblique, above scarcely twisted, at base more gradually rounded. Long. 4\, diam. (vix) 1\ millim. Type var., Indian Museum, Calcutta ; also in coll. Bourguignat and Coombe Williams. Var. GRIMALDIENSIS, 110V. (An potius P. grimaldiensis, sp. nov. 1) This form, I believe, will eventually prove to be distinct from its allies found on the other side of the headland, as is the case with species of Clausilia and Pomatias; as, however, I only found, in deposit D, a single specimen (the preceding forms not being found there at all), I do not feel justified, at present, in describing it as a distinct species. A short, tumid, pupiform variety, with only 7 whorls, more convex and increasing more rapidly than in any of the preceding, the last one perfectly rounded at base; the aperture much shorter and less contracted, with much less conspicuous folds, which are further within ; the columellar margin more broadly reflected, but less callous, without any twist or deflection whatever, scarcely oblique, almost rounded at base; outer margin with its well-developed tooth, as in the type form. Long. 4, diam. If millim. Unique type var., Indian Museum, Calcutta. PUPA (SPHYRADIUM) JOLYANA, n. sp. (Plate XIII. fig. 8.) Testa profunde et late umbilicata, regulariter cylindrico-ovata, obtusa, sericina, cornea; confertim plus minusve oblique costulata, PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1880, No. IX. 9 |