KEPORT ON THE GASTEROPODA. 147 



suture. It is very like that of Murcx macgilli-vrayi, but the whole spire is higher than in that 

 species, the whorls of the apex are more flattened on the sides, their suture is less impressed, and 

 their last whorl is distinctly keeled above the suture. Sowerby {loc. cit. supra) makes this species 

 a variety of Murcx tribulus, Linne. Apart from other features of difference, the embryonic apex 

 seems in Murcx tribulus to be coarse, flattened, and comparatively amorphous, though the doubtful 

 condition in this respect of the specimens I have been able to examine makes me hesitate to assert 

 this positively. 



If any one will compare the apices of Murcx tcmispina, Lam., and this species, he will hardly 

 experience the difficulty of which Mr Tryon complains, and which led him to unite the two. In 

 order to this comparison, however, it is necessary to avoid dealers' " cleaned " specimens, and to make 

 sure one really has the two species. 



2. Murex (Tribulus) macgittivrayi, Dohrn. 



Murex macgittivrayi, Dohrn, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1862, p. 203, sp. 4. 



„ „ Sowerby, Thes. Conch., vol. iv. pts. 33, 34, p. 3, sp. 9, pi. cccxcvi. (xvii. Gen.) 



fig. 162. 



,, (Tribulus) scolopax, Tryon, Manual, voL ii. p. 77, pi. xxiv. fig. 208. 

 Murex macgittivrayi, E. A. Smith, " Alert " Collections, p. 44, No. 14, pi. v. fig. G. 



September 8, 1874. Cape York, off Albany Island, Torres Strait. 3 to 12 fathoms. 

 Habitat. — Lizard Islands, Australia (British Museum). 



The embryonic apex consists of a little cone formed by three glossy, fawn-coloured, rounded 

 whorls, the last of which is scarce perceptibly marginated below by a fine sutural thread. Their 

 suture is impressed. 



This species certainly approaches very closely to Murcx aditncospinosus, Beck, but has only two 

 ribs between the varices instead of four or five ; the surface is closely scored with lines of growth, 

 instead of being delicately laminated, which Murcx aduncospinosus is especially on the varices at the 

 suture ; the spire is lower, the embryonic whorls are rounded, and are parted by a slightly impressed 

 suture, while in that other the apical whorls form an almost perfect flat-sided cone, on which the 

 suture is scarcely impressed at all ; round the base of these is a sharp, distinct keel, of which in 

 Murcx macgittivrayi there is hardly a trace. 



For comparison with Murcx acanthodcs, Wats., see that species. 



3. Murex (Tribulus) nigrospinosus, Eeeve. 



Murex nigrospinosus, Reeve, Conch. Icon., vol. iii. pi. ix. fig. 109, pi. xx. fig. 79.3 

 „ „ Kuster, Conch. Cab. (ed. Kiister), p. 75, pi. xxvi. fig. 5. 



„ (Tribulus) nigrospinosus, Kobelt, Jahrb. d. deutsch. malak. Gesellsch., 1877, vol. iv. p. 145, sp. 8. 

 ,, nigrospinosus, Sowerby, Thes. Conch., pts. 33, 34, p. 4, sp. 12, pi. ccclxxxi. (ii. Gen.) fig. 11. 

 ,, (Tribulus) nigrospinosus, Tryon, Manual, vol. ii. p. 78, pi. ix. fig. 109. 



Station 208. January 17, 1875. Lat. 11° 37' N., long. 123° 31' E. Philippines. 

 18 fathoms. Blue mud. 



