Trophon.'] GASTROPODA. 413 



Dentition (Button, T.N.Z.I., xv, 118, pi. 13, f. D, as T. Paivce). - 

 Central tooth with 5 cusps, the median and distal ones larger than 

 the others. 



Type in the Dominion Museum, Wellington. 



Hob. North and South Islands, but not common and local ; 

 Whangaroa Harbour (C. Traill) ; Sumner and Akaroa (H. S.) ; Fo- 

 veaux Strait, in 15 fathoms ; Chatham Islands (R. Buddie). 



Remarks. This species was classed by its author first as a synonym 

 of T. Paivce, Crosse, and, four years later, of T. duodecimus, Gray. 

 From the former it is distinct, though nearly allied. What Fusus 

 duodecimus, Gray (Dieff. N.Z., 230) is it is difficult to say, as Gray's 

 diagnosis is quite inadequate, the species has never been figured, and 

 the type is not to be found in the British Museum. The late Professor 

 E. von Martens suggested that it was a young specimen of Euthria 

 littorinoides, Reeve (Errata and Addenda to C.M.M., 1874, 1), whilst 

 Hutton said that " Dr. Gray's description is a compound of T. Paivce 

 and Euthria vittata, Q. & G." (T.N.Z.I., xvi, 220). It seems probable 

 that Gray's species is really the young of either Euthria liltorinoides 

 or E. vittata, and not a Trophon at all. 



Fossil in the Pliocene. 



9. Trophon curtus, Murdoch, 1905. Plate 19, tig. 6. 



Trophon cnrfu<*, Murdoch, T.N.Z.I., xxxvii, 1004 (1005), 228. pi. 8, f. 22. 



Shell small, ovate, rather solid, spirally and axially ribbed. Sculp- 

 ture consisting of 10 to 11, rarely 12, axial costae, usually narrower 

 than the interspaces and more prominent than the spiral sculpture, 

 which is formed by spiral liras, 2 on the spire-whorls and 6 to 7 on the 

 body-whorl ; occasionally there are 3 and 8 spirals respectively ; the 

 lowest spiral frequently much stronger than the others ; points of 

 intersection produced into prominent nodules, which, however, are 

 sometimes obsolete ; fasciole distinct. Colour whitish, occasionally 

 a brown band on the base, rarely a few ill-defined scattered spots on 

 the periphery, aperture whitish. Spire conical, turreted, a little higher 

 than the aperture with the canal. Protoconch of 2 whorls, smooth, 

 except the last half -turn, upon which 2 small spirals arise ; very often 

 both whorls are strongly keeled. Whorls 6, lightly shouldered, convex 

 below ; base contracted above the canal. Suture indistinct. Aperture 

 vertical, ovate, broadly angled above, produced below into a short , 

 oblique, and open canal. Outer lip slightly expanded, angled above, 

 rather thick, sometimes feebly dentate within. Columetta vertical, 

 almost straight. Inner lip thin and narrow, extended over the lightly 

 excavated parietal wall, narrowed below towards the canal. Operculum 

 unknown. 



Diameter, 2-6 mm. ; height, 5-7 mm. (type). 



Dentition unknown. 



Type in the Dominion Museum, Wellington. 



