Zoological Illustrations Series II/Plate 15



Among the shells which formed part of the African Museum, exhibited and finally sold in London some few years back, was a single specimen of this new and curious Volute. Worn and battered by the friction of the waves, it still retained its colour and markings sufficiently distinct to admit of a tolerably accurate delineation. The only part we have ventured to restore is the contour of the outer lip, which we have adapted to the lines of growth. The middle figure represents the shell in its broken state; and this clearly shews the ascending of the lip towards the spire, in the same manner as in V. lapponica.

The affinities which are suggested by the peculiar structure of this shell, are curious. In its general shape, and in the number of its plaits, it is obviously allied to Voluta Nucleus, harpa; lyræformis, &c., where the two last plaits of the pillar are very thick, and those above either small or evanescent; but from such, our shell differs materially by being quite smooth, and in having a short obtuse spire. We do not believe that this part has received much injury. The suture is perfect to the very end: further evidence may be drawn from the extreme narrowness of the third spiral whorl; a formation which only belongs to papillary spired shells. This character, joined with the smoothness and size of the body whorl, shews a closer approximation to the Melon shells, than to any other division of the group. Three or four intermediate forms are alone wanting to complete the double series.

Mr. Broderip, who is in possession of this shell, has recently arranged the Lamarkian Volutæ into very natural groups; two of which are considered as holding the rank of genera.