420 GASTROPODA. [Pectinibranchia. 



Genus 3. TYPHIS, Montfort, 1810. 



Typhis, Mtft., Conch. Syst., ii, 1810, 614. Type : Murex tubifer, Brug. 

 (Eocene). Hirlotyphis, Jousseaume, 1879. 



Animal similar to that of Murex. Mantle-margin prolonged into 

 the last tubular spine, which is an avenue of escape for effete matter 

 voided from the intestine. 



Shell oval-oblong, small, with spinose varices, usually 4 on a whorl, 

 between which hollow tubes are intercalated, which are formed by a 

 fold, its edges appressed so closely that the shelly secretion forms a 

 perfect cylinder ; in some species the varix commences with and at 

 the tube, though mostly developed beyond it ; spire elevated ; aper- 

 ture oval or circular ; peristome continuous in typical species ; canal 

 short, closed ; columella smooth. Operculum oval, nucleus apical. 



Not many species are known ; they have been found in the Medi- 

 terranean, Cape of Good Hope, west coast of Africa, West Indies, 

 Indian Archipelago, China, Japan, Gulf of California, Australia, Tas- 

 mania, &c. 



Fossil in the Tertiary. 



The length of both the tube proper and the tubular canal is greater 

 when it is first formed than later. It seems to be soon dissolved by 

 the water, or broken off. The last tube, until it is broken, is therefore 

 always longer than the others. Specimens from the quiet abyssal 

 waters occasionally preserve the tubes, or part of them, in a way 

 to make this evident. (W. H. Dall.) 



T. Cleryi, Sow., is ascribed to New Zealand by Tryon and Watson, 

 and enumerated by Hutton in his Manual, but later, in his " Revision 

 on of the Rhachiglossate Mollusca of New Zealand." omitted as not 

 inhabiting New Zealand. 



A small specimen was dredged in 110 fathoms, off Great Barrier 

 Island, but unfortunately in too bad a condition for identification 

 (T. N.Z.I., xxxviii, 302). This is the only New Zealand specimen of 

 Typhis I have seen. There is only one fossil species known from New 

 Zealand : T. Maccoiji, T.-Woods (T. hebetatus, Hutton, T.N.Z.L, ix, 

 594, pi. 16, f. 1), from the Pareora system. T. zeahmdica, Hutt., 1873, 

 from the Pliocene, is Murex Amjasi, Crosse. 



Fam. THAISID^. 

 Purpuridce, Broderip. 



Animal having a moderate posteriorly obtuse foot ; the eyes 

 usually placed near the tips of the tentacles ; siphon short. 



Shell strong, buccinoid ; surface without varices, but mostly with 

 nodules or tubercles ; siphonal canal wanting or only very short, 

 the base usually only deeply notched ; columella flattened, little 

 excavated, very often plicate. Operculum horny, lamellate, with an 

 external medio-lateral nucleus. 



