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Show 1891.] MR. E. A. SMITH ON SHELLS FROM ADEN. 393 admit. With regard to the two others he observes :-" I quite agree that they are undistinguishable from the common varius of our coasts. Even M . Fischer, who only finds three species common to the Mediterranean and Red Sea, admits as much (Journ. de Conch. 1871, p. 225)." Having most carefully studied the two shells referred to (only 13 millims. in length ! ) , I have no hesitation in pronouncing them young examples of P. senatorius. One of them distinctly exhibits the red curved lines upon the ribs which are so characteristic of typical specimens of this species, and which are chiefly visible upon the pale blotches which variegate the surface. The second specimen agrees with the others in all respects excepting colour. It is of an orange tint, varied with obscure pale markings. With regard to the latter portion of Mr. Cooke's comment I may point out that M . Fischer should not be accredited with the view that " only three species are common to the Mediterranean and the Red Sea." He is only reviewing a paper by MacAndrew and states " it n'en a trouve que 3 identiques." 9. LIMA INFLATA, Chemn. Only a few valves have as yet been quoted from Suez. This species also occurs at the Philippines, for specimens from this locality exist in the British Museum. Another Mediterranean species, L. squamosa, has been shown : to have a world-wide range. L. rotundata, Sowerby, from South Africa may be regarded as a variety of the present species. 10. SPONDYLUS GCEDEROPUS, Linn. Mr. Cooke considers this species synonymous with S. aculeatus, Chemn.! He remarks :-" It is perhaps from want of critical power that I am quite unable to separate these specimens [correctly identified by MacAndrew with S. aculeatus, Chemn.] from the well-known Mediterranean gcederopus, Lam." 2 This sentence is hardly comprehensible, for if there is one species in the genus Spondylus more easy of recognition than any other, it is $. gcederopus. This is not the place to discuss the differences which separate this species and S. aculeatus, but I would remark they are so obvious that I cannot imagine any conchologist failing to perceive them. S. aculeatus is quoted from the Red Sea by Chemnitz ; it is common in the Gulf of Suez (Vaillant) and it is also known from the Gulf of Akaba (Arconati) and Mauritius (MacAndrew). 11. MODIOLARIA MARMORATA, Forbes. ( = ccenobita, Vaill.) The shells from Suez, specimens of which are before me, presented 1 Lischke, Japan. Meer. Conch, vol. i. p. 162; Smith, ' Challenger' Lamelli-branchiata, p. 287. 2 Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1886, vol. xvii. p. 136. |