Zoological Illustrations Series II/Plate 44



A species not hitherto described; its shape is unusually oblong, and the spire is quite concealed: We are unacquainted with its locality. The perpendicular line expresses the natural size.

In Voluta and Mitra, the two typical groups of this family, the variations of form are so striking, and the species so numerous, that we readily assent to the plan, proposed by others, of further dividing them into genera: but in the aberrant group, containing Oliva, Ancillaria, and Marginella, the forms are less diversified, and the species fewer; the minor divisions may therefore, for the present, be termed sub-genera. The approximation of Marginella to Voluta has frequently been stated. In M. bullata we have a miniature melon Volute, while M. faba is a no less obvious representation of V. magnifica. Hence these forms appear typical. Yet M. persicula and lineata cannot well be placed with either, as their characters seem to indicate a direct analogy to Conohelix among the Mitres. As to Volvaria, we concur with other writers, in thinking that the French Conchologists have erroniously blended that genus with Marginella.

We could give no correct idea of this very pretty shell, without enlarging the figures; the natural size is indicated by the horizontal line. Our specimen is the only one we have yet seen, nor do we know its habitat.